Justin Crawford, the Philadelphia Phillies' third-ranked prospect, recently took home the organization's Paul Owens Award, given to the organization's top hitting and pitching prospect each year. Since joining the organization in 2022, Crawford has flat-out raked. He's batting .316 and has an OPS of .813 across four levels and 213 games.
Phillies name Justin Crawford their top minor league player after a ridiculous season
Crawford, a speedy outfielder, began the year at High-A Jersey Shore before being promoted to Double-A Reading in July. In 40 games with the Fightin Phils, the 2022 17th overall pick slashed an incredible .333/.380/.455 and stole 15 bases, proving that his strong 2023 season was not a fluke and he is a legitimate prospect that the Phillies can count on sooner rather than later. He could realistically see time in center field at Citizens Bank Park early next season.
Crawford has also been brought up in trade talks. Due to the Phillies' most recent draft class of three speedy center fielders in the first three rounds, it makes sense to dangle Crawford in talks if the team believes it can develop the new draftees into better players than Crawford. It also makes sense to bring in versatile athletes who do a lot of things well on the field and can play multiple positions.
Crawford has long been compared to his father, Carl Crawford, as they have similar builds and abilities on the field. Carl Crawford played 15 years in the majors for the Tampa Bay Rays (one of the best players on their 2008 AL Championship team), Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. He earned four All-Star nods, and in 2010 won a Silver Slugger Award and a Gold Glove.
In previous years, the Paul Owens Award has been earned by current Phillies hitters Johan Rojas, Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm, as well as current flamethrower in the bullpen Orion Kerkering. Andrew Painter also has taken home the award but missed all of 2024 after having Tommy John surgery.
The award is named after longtime Phillies scout Paul Owens. Owens spent 48 years with the organization in multiple roles, most notably as the franchise's general manager from 1972 to 1983, building the 1980 club that won the World Series.