Seattle Mariners captain J.P. Crawford helped lead the team to their first playoff appearance in 21 years. It ended a streak of futility which was the longest in major North American pro sports.
Now, after setting a new standard in the Emerald City, Crawford will look to elevate the franchise to true contender in 2023. With the additions of young stars like 2022 Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez, the missing piece to a championship run is an offensive elevation by their web master.
During their last series of the season, Crawford was officially given the captain role after the retirement of longtime Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager.
Seattle Mariners Finish Strong
The Mariners got off to a slow start in the win column, but Crawford was one of a few players who helped keep a new roster above water until they gelled. He was among the Major League leaders in batting average, on base percentage, runs, OPS and WAR along with his teammate Ty France. Crawford was playing so well it felt almost certain he would get to participate in his first ever All-Star Game in his hometown of Los Angeles.
However, one Sunday afternoon in late June put a halt to those plans.
J.P. Crawford Involved In Wild Brawl
The game took place in Anaheim between the Mariners and the team that ultimately defeated them in that final series of 2021, the Angels. Throughout recent years — and even this season — multiple players, including former first round pick Justin Upton were hit with pitches; his, a fastball to the head a little under two weeks before hand.
With tensions already high, the Angels decided to use an “Opener” to hit a Mariners batter in the back to begin an inning.
Back-and-forth talk between outfielder Jesse Winker and the Angels bench began, which led to Winker charging towards their dugout. A fight ensued as the benches cleared and fists were being thrown until Crawford came into the scuffle to throw an overhand right in defense of his teammate.
“I always tell them, I got their back,” Crawford told reporters the next day. “Just know that I have got your back. When stuff hits the fan, I am going to be the first one out there every time. I am going to do that 10 times out of 10. I have always got my boys back.”
It was one of the biggest brawls in recent Major League Baseball history as a total of eight people were suspended including Crawford who was sentenced to five games.
Although that seemed to end the 2020 Gold Glove winning shortstops All-Star bid, it also lit a fire under the entire clubhouse and sparked the team. Seattle ended up winning 90 games to clinch a wildcard spot and end their 21-year playoff drought.
In the playoffs, the Mariners swept the powerhouse Blue Jays and set themselves up in a matchup against their division rivals in Dusty Baker and the Astros. In Game one, the Mariners pummeled Astros starter Justin Verlander and Crawford had a major blow with a huge home run off the former Cy Young winner.
The Astros would end up winning the game and taking the series 3-0, but Crawford along with his group of young superstars showed the bright lights of October will not bother them.
Crawford ended the season batting .243 with six home runs, a .339 OBP and 24 doubles. In all it was a successful 2022 for J.P. Crawford. Elevation is the key to success.
Despite Houston Astros Jeremy Pena’s strong rookie campaign in which the baby bomber won a World Series and a Gold Glove, we still consider J.P. to be the best defensive shortstop in the Majors. Crawford will, however, have to raise his average and on base percentage if he wants his name solidified as an all-around elite player at his position, especially in a stacked American League.
This is a very attractive time in the MLB season. Teams are playing for a spot in the postseason and it’s a competitive battle. Just ask the Seattle Mariners, who are in the driver’s seat to secure one of the three AL Wild Card slots. If the Mariners make the postseason, it will be the first time that star shortstop, J.P. Crawford will play in the postseason and the first time in two decades that the franchise made the postseason.
Crawford’s had a lot of success in his five full MLB seasons. Our MLBbro has established himself as an elite defender and has the hardware to back that up, as he won a Gold Glove Award back in 2020.
He has proven himself to be a leader on the field and has gained a lot of respect throughout the league.
Every player wants a shot to play in the World Series at some point of their career. But to get there, you have to make the postseason first. Crawford has a real opportunity to play beyond the month of September.
And he has a pretty talented team around him as well. The Mariners have been one of the most exciting teams to watch, especially during the second half of the season. In August, we talked about how Crawford will play a vital role in Seattle’s playoff push and that continues to hold true.
Now that he’s developed into a leader, his presence on the field is very contagious, and in a good way. Whether he’s making Gold Glove plays at shortstop or coming through with a clutch hit at the plate, Crawford is a guy you want on your team, especially at this point in the season. He’s also battled some injuries to remain in the lineup and help Seattle make this historical push.
This is where the true ballers step up and make a name for themselves and you better believe that Crawford will do all that he can. So, this will be an exciting finish to the season and could be the next level up in Crawford’s career. A chance for the world to see him on the big stage. It’s what the MLBbro community has been waiting for. This year it can finally come true.
The MLB playoffs will have a different look this year. A total of 12 teams will be featured in the postseason (six teams from the American and National League).
It will be an exciting finish toward the end of the season as teams will try to secure a spot to compete for a World Series title.
The Seattle Mariners are a team that could earn a spot in the playoffs as a four, five, or six seed.
J.P. Crawford will be a player the Mariners will lean on as the team has sights to make the postseason. Over the past few seasons, Crawford has developed into a leader and one of the top players for the Mariners.
When the word competitor is mentioned, it’s hard not to put Crawford in that category.
He is a player that wants to win and will do whatever it takes to put his team in the best position to win games. One thing he does not like is missing games for whatever reason.
Right before the All-Star break, he missed a couple games due to discomfort in his right index finger. It got to the point where he was struggling to grip the ball and that affected his throwing.
“It’s just bad no matter where I’m at,” Crawford said in an article from The Seattle Times. “I don’t like it. I get too locked in.”
“I tried and I was barely getting the ball over there (to first base),” he said.
Crawford only missed two games, but he wanted to be out there playing with his team. He has that leadership mindset and wants to do whatever it takes to get on the field.
But, injuries are a part of the game and the Mariners want him at 100 percent.
And even if he’s not playing, Crawford is going to support his team from the dugout. Coming back from the All-Star break, the 27-year-old has appeared in every game for the Mariners.
He had a strong offensive performance on Wednesday going 2-for-4 against the New York Yankees. The Mariners took two of three against the Yankees which is a positive sign.
And the Mariners would want to see Crawford have more performances like the one on Wednesday throughout the remainder of the season.
Through 95 games this season, he is hitting .262 with five home runs and 27 RBI. And let’s not forget how stellar of a job our MLBbro does at shortstop.
There’s a reason why he won a Gold Glove in 2020. Crawford has yet to appear in a postseason game, so these next two months of the season will be very important to him and the Mariners organization. There’s a strong chance that Crawford will play in as many games as he can, unless he’s dealing with an injury. You better believe that when his number is called, Crawford is going to step up and show why he’s the real deal.
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