That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies Farm System Report: Top Prospect Figuring it out

By Mike Azzalina

Mar 13, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop J.P. Crawford (67) walks up to batting practice prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop J.P. Crawford (67) walks up to batting practice prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 13, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop J.P. Crawford (67) walks up to batting practice prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Lehigh Valley Ironpigs

Week Record (7-1)

Year Record to Date (28-14)

Recap and Standouts

Once again, Lehigh Valley is our team of the week for the system. There were moments of solid pitching and moments of continued success at the plate as well. That entire piece aside though, there is one situation about which the Phillies have to be thrilled. We will eventually get to that.

On the mound, the biggest story of the week was Thomas Eshelman. I mentioned him last week as the most underrated prize in the Ken Giles return. He continues to show why that may be the case. In two starts last week, the right-hander combined for 15 innings of work. He allowed 11 hits, four runs (one earned), struck out six and walked only two. The 22-year-old is making a strong impression so far.

There were strong starts put together by Mark Appel, Jake Thompson, and Ben Lively throughout the week as well. Even with those starts, however, Eshelman remains Lehigh Valley’s must-see.

On the offensive side of things, Dylan Cozens and Rhys Hoskins continued to dismantle baseballs. They both reached double-digits in home runs by the week’s end.

Nick Williams joined in on the power-surge as well, homering four times last week. Even his power was not the story of the week though. Neither was the week by Roman Quinn that saw him pile up a four-hit day at one point.

All we have to do is look at that struggling shortstop to find the real story. J.P. Crawford may be starting to find it, folks. And in a tough month for the big league club, we needed this. He began the week hitting an awful .156, and while the most recent number is not strong, is shows an impeccable improvement. He jumped to .196 by the end of the week.

He homered on Monday, had two hits on Tuesday, piled on three more hits Wednesday, and walked a few times throughout the week as well. The numbers are not going to look perfect as the season progresses as a result of his struggles the first month and a half, but if Crawford finds a way to build on last week’s success, there will be deep sighs of relief in Philadelphia.

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