Justin Crawford, Phillies 3rd Ranked Prospect, Promoted To AA
A top Phillies prospect is taking the next step on his path to the MLB. Justin Crawford, ranked 3rd in their system and 55th overall, has been promoted to AA…
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 17: Justin Crawford poses with his Carl Crawford after he was picked 17th by the Philadelphia Phillies during the 2022 MLB Draft at XBOX Plaza on July 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)A top Phillies prospect is taking the next step on his path to the MLB. Justin Crawford, ranked 3rd in their system and 55th overall, has been promoted to AA where he will play for Reading. Chase Ford from MiLB Central was the first to report the news.
Justin Crawford had a slash line of .301/.349/.438/.788 in High A this season. That goes with 27 steals, 6 HRs, and 16 doubles. Not to mention him flashing a great glove in Center Field.
He picked it up over his last 8 games at Jersey Shore, racking up 15 hits in 32 ABs, including 2 HRs, a double, and a triple. That was enough to convince the Phillies it was time for him to go to the next level.
His numbers have been down a bit after his dominant 2023 season. Across Clearwater and Jersey Shore, Crawford hit .332/.392/.467/.859 with 33 XBHs and 47 steals. He was promoted to High A for his last 18 games.
He is set to play in his second straight MLB Future's All-Star Game this weekend along with Aidan Miller, who was recently promoted to High A.
When Can We Expect To See Justin Crawford?
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 08: Justin Crawford #13 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at T-Mobile Park on July 08, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.
Justin Crawford is expected to make it to the bigs by 2026. Though if he impresses in AA that timeline could always be moved up. The Phillies currently don't have a long-term answer in Center. They like Johan Rojas, and he certainly has the glove to play in the Majors, but the bat still leaves something to be desired.
If Crawford keeps up these kind of numbers at AA, it is not out of the question he sees the field at some point in 2025. He will be 21 at the start of Spring training next season.
There is also the possibility Justin Crawford will be moved at the deadline. There are a lot of rumors the Phillies will be looking to acquire an impact bat in the outfield. The Phillie's big trade chips are Crawford, Miller, and Andrew Painter. You would think at least one of those 3 would have to be moved if they do make a splash.
Reports out of the Phillies are that Aidan Miller and Andrew Painter are "untouchable." That could easily be a smoke screen though. We won't know for sure what their plans are with any of these prospects this year until the deadline has passed.
Regardless of whether it is here, or somewhere else though, Justin Crawford is now a bit closer to his MLB debut.
