The Philadelphia Phillies’ farm system is starting to produce prospects who, if you squint a little, you can see making their way to the big league team sooner rather than later. While we know that top pitching prospect Andrew Painter will debut this summer, when “sooner” will be for many of the team’s other top prospects is still up in the air. However, one young player will be one step closer this season, right on the doorstep of his MLB debut.
The Phillies’ No. 3 prospect, outfielder Justin Crawford, who is also MLB Pipeline’s No. 63 overall prospect, is reportedly going to begin his 2025 minor league season in Triple-A with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The news was reported by Chase Ford of MiLB Central on X.
Justin Crawford will begin the 2025 season in Triple-A with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
— Chase Ford (@_chaseford) March 21, 2025
The outfielder had a .364 batting average in 8 games this spring for Philadelphia.
Justin Crawford's Triple-A promotion means Phillies' top outfield prospect one step from MLB debut
The preseason promotion doesn’t come as a surprise for anyone who has been paying attention. Crawford impressed during his brief time in major league camp, and was named to the All-Spring Breakout Team after a blazing performance in the prospect showcase game.
He only appeared in eight Grapefruit League games but made the most of his time to impress Phillies manager Rob Thomson. He slashed .364/.462/.364 with two walks and one strikeout in 11 spring at-bats. He also showed off some power, with a 108.4 mph exit velocity on a line drive in his spring debut.
“Crawford had a really good spring, he really did," Thomson told reporters following the news of the demotion to minor league camp. "He’s an exciting guy. I know that there’s talk that they want him to get the ball up in the air, but I think he’s fine where he’s at right now.”
Crawford flew through two levels in 2024, beginning in High-A Jersey Shore and finishing in Double-A Reading. He hit .313 with an .805 OPS (including a .444 slugging percentage) in 110 games. He hit nine home runs, drove in 61, scored 79 times and stole 42 bases in 497 plate appearances.
Playing this season as a 21-year-old, he likely won’t get a look this season, but you never know how a season will unfold. If things go extremely well for him and the Phillies find themselves in need of a speedy outfielder, there's a slim chance Crawford could get a call. He's proven himself in every other test he has had so far.
More Phillies news from That Ball's Outta Here
manual