The Philadelphia Phillies’ top prospects are knocking on the door of the big leagues. There were rumors throughout the season and offseason about the Phillies looking to trade for high-profile players such as former Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet which would’ve required parting with one or multiple top prospects. Instead, the organization decided to hold onto its upper echelon of talent.
Baseball America released its 2025 Top 100 Prospects list, featuring multiple Phillies prospects. Oddly, the Phillies’ top outfield prospect, Justin Crawford, took a significant tumble from his previous ranking.
Crawford, now the Phillies’ No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was ranked as the 44th overall prospect on Baseball America’s list in September but now ranks 96th just four months later (subscription required).
Justin Crawford's odd tumble down Baseball America's Top 100 prospect rankings is surprising
The Phillies drafted Crawford with the 17th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Crawford, the son of former major league outfielder and four-time All-Star Carl Crawford, has had an impressive start to his minor league career.
Crawford began his professional baseball career with the Florida Complex League Phillies in 2022. He appeared in 11 games before his promotion to Single-A Clearwater to finish the season.
The left-handed hitting outfielder started the 2023 season in Clearwater but was promoted to High-A Jersey Shore after racking up 25 extra-base hits and 60 RBI with a .344 batting average through 69 games. Crawford slashed .288/.366/.425 with a .791 OPS in 18 games with Jersey Shore to end his second minor league season.
The Phillies had high hopes for the young, promising prospect heading into the 2024 season, and Crawford didn’t disappoint. He owned a .301 batting average with 24 extra-base hits through 70 games with Jersey Shore and was promoted to Double-A Reading in July. Crawford picked up right where he left off as he slashed .333/.380/.455 with a .835 OPS, 14 extra-base hits and 26 RBI in 40 games to close out the season.
In his short professional career, Crawford has been recognized for his outstanding play. The recently turned 21-year-old was selected to the Futures Game in each of the last two years and was named the Florida State League MVP and Top MLB Prospect during his time with Clearwater in 2023.
Crawford has strictly played center field throughout his time in the Phillies organization. He owns an above-average career .978 fielding percentage, including a .995 fielding percentage in 2024. Not only does he have an impressive career .316 batting average in 213 games in the minor leagues, Crawford also offers speed on the base paths. He has 99 career stolen bases in three years, including back-to-back 40-plus stolen base seasons from 2023-24.
Why did such a successful and highly touted prospect fall 52 spots in four months over the offseason? The Phillies don’t seem concerned, inviting Crawford to major league spring training as a non-roster invitee. It might be a long shot for him to make the Phillies’ Opening Day roster in 2025, but Crawford will be in the majors sooner rather than later.