With the 22nd overall pick in the 2016 Major League Baseball amateur draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected former St. Cloud Rox and Wake Forest infielder and pitcher Will Craig.

Craig is the first Rox player to be taken in the first round of the draft, and was one of five former Northwoods League players to be selected in Thursday’s opening round.  

Craig spent the 2014 season with the Rox, playing in 56 games. He hit .255 with 19 extra base hits, including a team high eight home runs and driving in 30 runs. As a pitcher he made seven appearances, including three starts, throwing 21.1 total innings. He struck out 19 batters and carried a 6.32 ERA.

With Wake Forest this season Craig was named a Louisville Slugger and Baseball America First Team All-American as well as being a First Team All-ACC honoree and a finalist for the Golden Spikes and Dick Howser awards. He was also named an All-American in 2015 and was the ACC Player of the Year in that season.

Craig led the Demon Deacons in multiple offensive categories this season, including batting average, runs, RBI, home runs, total bases, slugging percentage, and on base percentage. He had a 2-0 record on the mound with nine saves and a 3.54 ERA in 28.0 innings pitched.

The Northwoods League has had over 150 former players appear at the major league level, including a league-best 18 from St. Cloud. There are 26 former Rox players currently playing in the minor leagues.

To stay up to date with all the draft news concerning the Rox, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

The Rox return home to Joe Faber Field on Friday night a 7:05 p.m. for a game against the Rochester Honkers. The first 250 kids 14 & under will receive Rox Bus Banks presented by Voigt’s Bus and there will be a Friday Night Fireworks show after the game.

To purchase tickets to any Rox game during the 2016 season, visit stcloudrox.com or call (320)-240-9798.