About Justin Crawford:

At the start of the season, MLB.com ranked Crawford the third best prospect in the Phillies farm system.

Crawford was chosen out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, in the 1st round of the 2022 Major League Draft.

As a junior in high school, Crawford hit .525, with 20 stolen bases. As a senior, he hit .503 with five homers, and 20 stolen bases.

The Las Vegas Sun named Crawford the Male Athlete of the Year.

Crawford was given a $3,894,000 signing bonus as the No. 17 player chosen in the draft.

The son of former major league outfielder Carl Crawford, the younger Justin won the 2025 International League batting title, hitting .334, with a .411 on-base percentage at Triple-A Lehigh.

Crawford stole 46 bases last year, flashing the speed that makes him a threat on the bases.

Lehigh bench coach, Tank Anderson, told si.com, “He’s just so athletic. Like, he does some stuff where you’ll watch it and it doesn’t always look super textbook…But he has survival instincts, and his bat-to-ball skills are elite.

Crawford’s Grade 75 speed, and his Grade 60 hit tool, are just two of the reasons the Phillies feel comfortable enough with Crawford to start in him in center.

Scouting Evaluation:

Crawford should bring an outstanding combination of a solid batting average, and game-changing speed to the Phillies lineup.

If he continues on he previous professional path, Crawford will impact games by stretching a single to a double, and possibly, a double to a triple. And he’ll steal bases.

A good contact hitter, Crawford has the ability to put the ball in play, keeping his strikeouts to a minimum.

One of the concerns regarding Crawford’s hitting profile has been his tendency to hit the ball on the ground. With his speed, that’s isn’t terribly negative. Still, the Phillies would probably like to see him get more loft on the ball, hitting the gaps for extra bases.

Much like his father, Crawford will be more of a “pest” on offense, than a power threat. He may hit some home runs, but his game is based more on getting on base, potentially stealing, and scoring runs.

Currently, Crawford is hitting 9th in the Phillies lineup. However, he clearly profiles as a leadoff hitter, and that may eventually become his role.

Defensively, Baseball America states, “Scouts see a player whose elite speed can help him make up for the late jumps and rough routes.”

Before the season began, ESPN.com reported Crawford said, “"I feel ready," Crawford told reporters earlier this week. "I’m ready to go.”

Ready he was.

Before his first game, Justin took his mom to get a Philly Cheesesteak

. As msn.com said, My mom is a vegan. She walked in and asked for a cheesecake with no meat and they looked at her absolutely crazy.”

In fact, Crawford singled on the first pitch in his major league debut.

There is no question Justin Crawford inherited the talent and speed of his very successful father.

Now, Crawford has to relax and enjoy his opportunities as a 22-year-old Major League player.

Scouting Grade:60

An occasional Major League Baseball All Star with several quality tools.

Justin Crawford is a speedy, exciting rookie player with tremendous upside and a bright future with the Philadelphia Phillies.