Former Pirates 1B Craig signs in Korea to 'start over' after Baez blunder

Will Craig was an unfamiliar name in MLB until he put himself in the spotlight last May with a defensive blunder involving Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez.

Now, the first baseman is leaving the majors in part because of the gaffe.

Craig signed with the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization on Monday after the Pirates granted him permission to seek playing opportunities in Asia, according to Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News Agency. Pittsburgh designated the 26-year-old for assignment in June.

Craig said getting away from the embarrassment of the Baez blunder played a big part in his decision to move to Korea.

"There are times where it hits me, and I'm like, 'Did that really happen?' I'm a really good defender. I am," he told Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Everyone who has played with me knows that, but I feel like that play defined me. I didn't want that to be the case.

"That's another thing that went into my decision to go over there. I need to almost start over in a way."

Craig, who won a Gold Glove in the minors in 2019, only appeared in 20 games with the Pirates after they selected him in the first round of the 2016 draft.

The native of Tennessee hit .203/.261/.281 with one home run in 69 plate appearances. Defensively, he made one error in 148 innings at first base.