The Philadelphia Phillies' top prospects kicked off their inaugural Spring Breakout game on Saturday in Lakeland against the Detroit Tigers' top youngsters. One Phillies prospect got off to a particularly quick start, dazzling with his speed and helping the visitors jump out to an early lead.
Noted speedster Justin Crawford led off the game with a first-pitch infield single to Tigers third baseman Jace Jung, busting down the first base line and showing off his wheels. The Phillies No. 4 prospect didn't waste any time showing off his elite speed again, promptly and easily stealing second base during No. 8 prospect Bryan Rincon's at-bat.
Rincon grounded out, but it was productive, as Crawford's stolen base allowed him to advance to third, leaping over the ball in front of Detroit shortstop Trei Cruz. That heads-up baserunning by the 20-year-old Crawford set up the Phillies to go ahead 1-0 when No. 3 prospect Aidan Miller singled to left. Although, with Crawford's speed, he could have easily scored from second.
.@aidanmiller__ gets the Phils on the board early 🙌 pic.twitter.com/qgxnuy54SY
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 16, 2024
The lead was short-lived as Jace Jung homered off Phillies starter Mick Abel in the bottom of the inning, but Crawford's show of speed was impressive nonetheless.
Justin Crawford already becoming well-known for his speed
In an offseason survey by MLB Pipeline, MLB executives voted the Phillies' 2022 first-round pick as having the best speed tool. Pipeline also graded him as the fastest prospect in the Top 100 rankings.
These guys can fly!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) January 10, 2024
MLB execs weigh in on which prospects have the best tools: https://t.co/Wk2NWtawc4 pic.twitter.com/dewcgPTkPG
In his first full season in the Phillies development system last year, Crawford, son of former MLB star Carl Crawford, slashed a healthy .332/.392/.467 in 349 at-bats split between Low- and High-A. He doesn't have much home run power yet, but he finished with three long balls, 22 doubles, eight triples, and 47 stolen bases.
The speedy defender projects as a plus center fielder, with a combination of his 75-grade run tool and 60-grade fielding. Even if he doesn't begin the 2024 season in Double-A, you can expect that he'll suit up for the Reading Fightin Phils before too long. If his development continues at this rate, the Phillies could be looking at a future MLB star in center field in the coming years.