Allen Craig was drafted in the Eigth Round (256 overall) of the 2006 First Year Player Draft out of the University of California. Born in Temecula, CA, Craig stands 6’3″ and bats and throws right. Known for his offense, Craig has hit everywhere he has played in his short pro career as well as the amateur level. At Cal, Craig played the outfield as well as short, first, and third. One of his biggest weaknesses has been patience at the plate according to scouts. It has been said that he concentrates much more on his offense than his defense. He has very good power but can get pull happy at times.
Assigned to the Cardinals’s affiliate, State College, Craig had a solid first campaign, earning All-Star recognition. In the All-Star game, he drove in the National League’s only run. Craig hit .257/.325/.400 with four home runs and 29 RBI before a knee injury ended his season after 48 games.
Craig skipped Low Class A and was assigned to Palm Beach. He has been an offensive force so far hitting .339/.369/.600 with 8 HRs and 26 RBIs in 29 games. He was named the FSL player of the week for the week during the last week of April. He still needs to be more patient as his BB to K ratio is 6 to 23.
After the 2005 Summer League season, Craig was named to Baseball America’s College All-Summer League First-Team after his performance in the Northwoods League. Others named to the list were 2006 Top 10 picks Andrew Miller, Evan Longoria, and Tim Lincecum. That summer, Craig batted .362 with 12 HRs and 40 RBIs. He finished with a line of .362/.416/.628 in 199 at bats. Baseball America ranked him as the 45th rated senior before the 2006 draft.
Attending Cal, Craig hit a HR in his first collegiate at bat against UNLV and hit in his first 12 college games. Craig had an outstanding senior season as he owned a team-best .344 average, with a team-high 76 hits, 39 runs, 15 doubles, and 11 HR (fifth in the Pac-10), and had 27 multi-hit games. Craig finished his career at the University of California with 27 HR, (9th all-time) with 107 RBI. Craig was named to the Pac-10 All Academic First Team with a major in social welfare.
He attended Chaparral High School helping his team to the 2002 Southwestern League title as well, batting .585 with eight home runs. In the summer of 2002, he played for the USA Junior National Team, batting .485 with 11 runs, three doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI at the IBAF World Junior Championship in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.
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Whiteyball 
Any guesses on his future?
I haven’t looked at minor league comps but I am guessing maybe a John Mayberry type. A guy that can fill in the corner outfield and at first and third.
He is a guy that has a very serviceable bat that will get the big hit here and there.
I believe the Cardinals would be really happy if he turns out to be a big league reserve. The thing that makes him less projectable is that he does bat right handed. Just like lefty relievers, lefty pinch hitters seem to last longer.