The Philadelphia Phillies may have found the solution to their center field dilemma with the rise of their top prospect. After an impressive 2024 campaign, new general manager Preston Mattingly has dropped strong hints that Crawford could step into the starting center field role as early as 2025.
Phillies’ Outfield Woes
The Phillies’ outfield was a weak point in 2024, and the front office is determined to address it this offseason. While proven free agents like Anthony Santander, Teoscar Hernández, and Juan Soto dominate discussions for corner outfield upgrades, legitimate center field options are scarce. Johan Rojas has struggled to secure his place, leaving fans eager for a glimpse of Crawford, ranked No. 3 in the Phillies’ Top 30 Prospects by MLB Pipeline.
Crawford’s Breakout Year
Crawford, the 2022 first-round draft pick, dazzled in 2024. After earning a midseason promotion to Double-A, he slashed .333 with an .834 OPS, adding three home runs, 11 doubles, 26 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases in just 40 games. His stellar performance earned him the Paul Owens Award as the top position player in the Phillies’ system, and he’s now representing Team USA in the Premier12 tournament.
Mattingly’s High Praise
Speaking on the High Hopes podcast, Mattingly was effusive in his praise of the 20-year-old:
“It was impressive what he did, finishing the year in Double-A. The success he had is just scratching the surface. If Justin continues to elevate the ball, he’s going to be an extremely dynamic player—doubles, triples, home runs. Any ball in the gap is essentially a triple.”
Spring Training Opportunity
Mattingly also made it clear that Crawford will have a shot at making the Opening Day roster:
“Anyone invited to big league spring training is competing for a job. With the way our roster is constructed, if I were Justin, I’d come in to try and win that job.”
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