The Philadelphia Phillies entered the 2026 season looking to rebound after a tough 3-1 NLDS loss to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite a slow start at 6-5, rookie shortstop Justin Crawford quickly emerged as one of the brightest sparks on the roster, giving fans a reason to believe the Phillies could contend again.
Justin Crawford Sparks Phillies Offense
Crawford has dazzled through his first 10 career games, posting a batting line of .324/.361/.382 with an OPS of .743. Among Phillies hitters, he leads the team in batting average, surpassing even two-time NL MVP Bryce Harper and two-time home run leader Kyle Schwarber. His early-season production ranks him 22nd in the MLB in batting average, and it’s not just the numbers that impress—his poise in critical moments shows the maturity of a veteran, a trait we foreshadowed before his Major League success.
Justin Crawford Gets First Walk-Off Hit
In a tense matchup against the Washington Nationals, Crawford delivered his first walk-off hit with a single to left field, driving in the go-ahead run in a 6-5 thriller. The Phillies celebrated by drenching the 22-year-old phenom on the field, echoing the excitement surrounding his father, Carl Crawford, a four-time All-Star and 2010 Gold Glove winner.
Additionally, like father, like son, the younger Crawford has inherited more than just hitting and speed, garnering his first stolen base against the Rockies in the seventh inning of a 2-1 Phillies victory. This was a trait his father exhibited at a superb level, as he was a four-time AL stolen base leader.
Justin Crawford Is Among MLB’s Elite 2026 Rookie Class
Crawford is among a rare group of rookies this season posting a batting average above .300, a slugging percentage over .350, and an OPS over .700, alongside Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers and T.J. Rumfield of the Colorado Rockies. Even in this small sample size, Crawford has shown he can perform under pressure, an invaluable skill as the Phillies aim to reverse early-season struggles and push deep into the postseason.
The Arizona native has long felt ready for this moment.
“Most definitely,” Crawford said regarding his preparation for the big leagues. “It’s not in my hands … they make that decision. I feel ready. Whenever they decide to make that decision is when they make it. I just have to continue to show up every day, stay in the moment, and do what I do.”
Crawford’s fast start places him in historic company. He is one of just 15 Phillies rookies to begin their careers with a batting average over .300, a slugging percentage above .350, and an OPS above .700 with at least 30 plate appearances—a list that includes Hall of Famers Dick Allen and Chuck Klein.
If Crawford maintains this trajectory, he could become a cornerstone for a Phillies team looking to return to postseason glory while forging his own legacy separate from the shadow of his father.
