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MLB Pipeline calls for top prospect promotion Phillies fans would love to see

With unstable and average play in center field, one of baseball's top MLB-ready prospects is eyeing an opportunity for the job in Philly.
ByJake Huber|
Mar 2, 2025; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Justin Crawford (80) signs autographs for fans before a game against the Toronto Blue Jays during spring training at TD Ballpark.
Mar 2, 2025; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Justin Crawford (80) signs autographs for fans before a game against the Toronto Blue Jays during spring training at TD Ballpark. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Nearing the end of May in the 2025 season, the Philadelphia Phillies just became the final team in baseball to have a player make their MLB debut when Mick Abel dazzled against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now, MLB Pipeline prospect insiders see another MLB-level player waiting in the wake.

In a recent collection of the 10 prospects who should be called up, MLB Pipeline's Jim Callis named the Phillies' No. 3 prospect, 21-year-old Justin Crawford, as a viable option to stop the bleeding in center field for the big league club. As others have already pointed out, Callis touched on the similarities to his four-time All-Star father Carl Crawford, but then spoke how his game is more complete with more upside than that of Johan Rojas or Brandon Marsh.

Of course Phillies fans would love to see Justin Crawford called up to the big leagues

While the Phillies have lacked consistency in their outfield, Crawford has been the model for consistent play during his little over three years with the organization. Across five different minor league levels, the lanky-lefty has a career average of .316 with an OPS of .812.

This season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Crawford has been on par, batting .328 with 15 extra-base hits and an .832 OPS. While he struggles with strikeouts at this point (playing in over 200 games before he even turned 21!), his pedigree and build give him a solid foundation to build a smooth swing.

The Phillies are in dire need of another staple in the outfield. While Nick Castellanos struggled to find his way early in his Phillies career, he has etched out his spot in right field and become a fan favorite. In the other two spots, platoon bats and replacement level players have adorned the box score night in and night out.

Rojas showed flashes of plus-play in March and April, hitting .304, but has stuttered since, batting .171. Marsh has had similar struggles but, in what was lucky for the Phils, the exact opposite of Rojas, hitting .095 in his first 17 games and .318 since returning from the injured list on May 3.

The combination of Cal Stevenson, Weston Wilson, Marsh and Rojas has accounted for -0.6 WAR so far into the season while the Phillies are one of the best teams in not only the National League but in MLB. If they can get an added boost from within to strengthen their weakest position, it will help to counteract the dormant offense at times down the stretch.

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