The second annual MLB Spring Breakout has now come and gone with MLB showcasing the talents of its many young prospects. The Philadelphia Phillies had a strong contingent of representatives, including top prospects Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford, Eduardo Tait, Moisés Chace and Jean Cabrera, participating in the event.
Earlier this week, MLB.com released the names of the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Team and a noteworthy Phillies player made the cut. That player was none other than MLB Pipeline’s No. 63 prospect (Phillies No. 3 prospect) Justin Crawford, as he made the First Team as an outfielder. That shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, given he had his own breakout minor league season as well in 2024.
Phillies No. 3 prospect Justin Crawford named to MLB's All-Spring Breakout Team
In the Phillies Spring Breakout game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Crawford showcased his speed throughout the game to help Philadelphia to victory. The 21-year-old prospect went 2-for-4 with a run scored in the game, but that was nothing compared to the elite performance on the basepaths that he put on full display during the day. As highlighted previously by our very own Michael Fisher, for Crawford’s first hit, he easily legged out an infield hit on a high chopper to third base. From there, he used his blistering sprint speed to steal second at a rate of 30.7 ft/s, without a throw attempt.
There he goes!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 14, 2025
Justin Crawford hits a 30.7 sprint speed in Spring Breakout action for the @Phillies.
Watch this game LIVE: https://t.co/iLHvJZbJze pic.twitter.com/ppgRJH1XuX
His second hit later in the game would have been an easy standup double for many others. But Crawford made it a standup triple by rounding the bases in 12.4 seconds at a rate of 28.1 ft/s, despite hitting the ball hard at 96.5 mph and the outfielder getting to the area of the ball in good time. That likely caught the eye of the officials in awarding him his rightful spot on the All-Spring Breakout First Team.
But this wasn’t just a fluke performance by Crawford. He is actually coming off a solid 2024 campaign in which he was the Phillies' top minor league position player of the year. In 110 games played last season, he amassed a .313 batting average and .805 OPS, along with 79 runs scored, 25 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, 61 RBI and, of course, 42 stolen bases to boot.
Justin Crawford on his horse 🏇
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 14, 2025
The @Phillies' No. 3 prospect gets from home to third in 12.4 seconds in Spring Breakout. pic.twitter.com/Gyuxurc3b8
Crawford hasn't looked out of place either in his spring training chances with the Phillies, as he's batting .364 with a .826 OPS, with four runs scored, two walks and two stolen bases in 11 at-bats over eight games.
With the Phillies constantly looking for a solution to their outfield the past couple of seasons, they could have their ultimate answer in Crawford. And with the way things have been going, breakout and all, that could end up coming sooner than you think.