Getting the word that you’ve made the Major Leagues is, of course, the goal of every player who puts on a Minor League uniform.

There is usually something different, however, when you get that news in March. Position battles occur, and roster spots are truly earned on the field in spring training.

Phillies Star On The Rise: J-Craw

One young man who not only earned a roster spot with the Philadelphia Phillies but was also their opening day Centerfielder was Justin Crawford. The MLBbro was the team’s first-round pick in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft at No.17. He recently hti his first career home run. 

 

 

He impressively climbed the organizational ladder to begin his big league career that started on March 26. 

Much like most players who enter the world of professional baseball, Crawford’s first year was an adjustment. He found his way into 16 games in the low levels of the minor leagues, but the one thing that certainly stood out was his speed, as he recorded 10 stolen bases. 

2023 was the season that showed why he was highly touted. A .332 batting average with 47 stolen bases across two levels of A ball was a reason that he was awarded the Most Valuable Player in the Florida State League. His accolades were also impressive enough that he started in the All-Star Futures game that season for the National League.  

Crawford Is Future Cornerstone Piece

2024 was a season in which Crawford raised his game to match the competition. He played in the High A South Atlantic League as well as the Double Eastern League and connected for nine homeruns in a season that saw him hit .313, drive in 61 runs, and swipe 42 bases. He started in the Futures game again, this time starting in left field, and had a base hit in three at-bats. 

With everything that Crawford accomplished in his first three seasons of professional baseball, the Phillies certainly couldn’t have been faulted if they brought him up at any point during the 2025 season, especially with him being a top draft choice.

 The decision to have Crawford play the entire season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley seemed to have paid big dividends. Posting career highs in both batting average (.334) and on-base percentage (.411) gave the Phillies a good idea that he would be Major League ready for 2026 as he improved his approach at the plate. 

The Phillies should be really excited about their centerfielder of the future. Crawford is just 22 years old and has a strong foundation. There is certainly athleticism in the young man, and he is gradually changing the raw tools into a polished player. 

The makeup of the roster allows him to grow and develop because he is already contributing, and the best is yet to come. He delivered a base hit up the middle on the very first Major League pitch he saw on opening day against the Texas Rangers. 

Manager Don Mattingly Also Managed Justin’s Dad With LA Dodgers

Phillies manager Don Mattingly knows that he has an amazing centerfielder on his hands. 

“He’s a good kid, number one. I think he believes in himself. Obviously, we believe in him, or he wouldn’t be here,” the skipper told a Philadelphia radio station earlier this season. 

Mattingly certainly knows good outfielders when he sees them. Justin’s dad, Carl Crawford, was a leftfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers for three seasons when Mattingly was the manager. Family ties for Justin even continue to active players. Fellow MLBbro JP Crawford of the Seattle Mariners is a cousin and a phone call away.