Many have been calling for Justin Crawford's name to have already been instated on the Philadelphia Phillies' major league roster. However, the club, which relies so heavily on its veteran outfield depth at the big league level, doesn't feel the need to rush its No. 3 prospect this year. After rising through the Phillies' minor league system since joining the club in 2022, Crawford began this season with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, where he has reminded everyone of his success in the farm system.
The 21-year-old outfielder continues to hit exceptionally well, so the team has decided to hone in on his defensive abilities in center field. It's the one thing that has potentially been holding him back from joining the team in South Philly.
The first-round draft pick and coaches have started focusing on Crawford getting a good read of the ball as it leaves the bat and getting a meaningful first jump as he continues to work on optimizing the best routes to fly balls, according to Ty Daubert of Phillies Nation.
“I think with center field, he’s just continuing to improve on his first step,” IronPigs manager Anthony Contreras said, per Daubert. “Obviously, routes and angles and things like that are a constant work in progress, but he’s made strides.” With this late-season adjustment, Crawford's newfound adaptability playing between left field and center, and his continued offensive success, the idea of what the Phillies should do this offseason in terms of the outfield might get a trial run in 2025.
Justin Crawford's late-season defensive changes could result in a call from the Phillies
Despite the team having traded for Gold Glove center fielder Harrison Bader at the trade deadline to bolster the outfield, Crawford's prospective role on the roster is still blatantly apparent, per Dave Benson of Heavy. His promotion could still come in 2025 with September's 28-man roster expansion right around the corner.
The current Phillies outfielders who Crawford could potentially steal time from would be the former Minnesota Twins Max Kepler and Bader. While both have been playing well as of late, Kepler has been notoriously streaky at the plate this season, and in the few reps Topper has given Bader, he is showing signs of the same.
Crawford's elite speed and offensive production might outshine the team's need for elite defense, as long as the adjustments he's recently made defensively with the IronPigs pay off. Crawford is hitting .329 with an .846 OPS in 98 games this season. He has four home runs, 36 RBIs and 74 runs scored with 37 stolen bases.
It’s a leadoff big fly for Justin Crawford!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 8, 2025
The @Phillies’ No. 3 prospect rips his 26th extra-base hit, improving his slash line to .329/.414/.433 for the Triple-A @IronPigs: pic.twitter.com/Kml6scXKIZ
If Crawford is recalled from Triple-A this year, it would not count against his rookie status heading into 2026, and it would be a win/win scenario for the top prospect and the team. He will have a chance to take both offensive and defensive reps at the highest level while still contributing what will most benefit the team (i.e., starting in left, pinch-hitting mid-game for an electric at-bat to restart a struggling offense, or even pinch-running for the slower vets) with the possibility of making the postseason roster on the horizon if all goes well.