There is a Philadelphia Phillies outfield prospect who could have a major impact on the major league roster in 2025. The 53rd-ranked prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, Justin Crawford, could very well reach the majors in 2025. Crawford is currently the third ranked prospect in the Phillies organization by MLB Pipeline. Furthermore, Crawford will participate in Phillies spring training as a non-roster invitee this year. Currently, Crawford is not on the Phillies 40-man roster, so he is a non-roster invitee to spring training. Crawford played for Team USA in the WBSC Premier 12 this offseason. In nine games during the tournament, Crawford had a .250/.306/.438 line with one home run and four RBI.
Look Ahead: Phillies’ Outfield Talent Could Shine in 2025
Minor League Success
Crawford reached Double-A during the 2024 season after starting the year at High-A. In 110 minor league games last season, Crawford had a .313/.360/.444 line with nine home runs and 61 RBI. Crawford had 42 stolen bases in the minors last season as well. Additionally, Crawford recorded a 130 wRC+ and a .368 wOBA last season. Crawford had an 18.7% strikeout rate along with a 6.4% walk rate last season. In 40 games at Double-A, Crawford has a .834 OPS and a 140 wRC+. Crawford improved his strikeout rate from 20.2% at High-A last season to 16.1% at Double-A last season. The Phillies 2022 first-round draft pick is viewed as a top prospect in the organization and won the position player Paul Owens Award in 2024.
In 2023 Crawford had a .332/.392/.467 line with three home runs and 64 RBI in 87 minor league games. Crawford had 47 stolen bases in 2023. In addition, Crawford recorded a 134 wRC+ and a .399 wOBA in the minors that year. Crawford had a 17.7% strikeout rate and an 8.2% walk rate in 2023. One noticeable difference between 2023 and 2024 for Crawford is the pull rate. In 2023 Crawford pulled the ball 27.7% of the time. Meanwhile, in 2024, Crawford pulled the ball 31.5% of the time. Crawford saw his rate of balls hit to the opposite field decline from 44.6% in 2023 to 43.4% in 2024. In the minors, Crawford has primarily hit ground balls as opposed to fly balls.
Fit On The Phillies Major League Roster
Right now, the Phillies lack outfield depth on their 40-man roster. Cal Stevenson is the lone outfielder on the Phillies 40-man roster expected to start the season in Triple-A. Stevenson is in his last minor league option year. Unless Johan Rojas starts the year in the minors, a 40-man roster spot will open by default. Kody Clemens and Buddy Kennedy are out of minor-league options. As a result, finding room to add Crawford to the 40-man roster will not be difficult. However, after signing Max Kepler, the Phillies outfield group might be too left-handed heavy. Crawford is a left-handed hitter. That said, having depth in the event of injuries is extremely important. Crawford is also primarily a center fielder, which is valuable for depth purposes.
Whether it be because of needing to fill a 26-man roster spot or when September call-ups come around, Crawford could realistically go from Double-A to the majors. Rojas was first called up from Double-A to the majors during the 2023 season because Cristian Pache got injured. Crawford is entering his age 21 season in 2025. Rojas was in his age-22 season in 2023. It is also worth noting Kepler and Kyle Schwarber are scheduled to be free agents after this season. Nick Castellanos is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2026 season. How Crawford performs in spring training and starting the minor league season will impact his major league playing time in 2025. If called upon, Crawford could impact the Phillies in 2025.
Main Photo Credits: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
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