Can Philadelphia Phillies Prospect Crawford Reach Majors Faster than Father?

Justin Crawford just moved into MLB Pipeline's Top 100 overall prospects, joining two future Phillies pitchers.

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Phillies prospect Justin Crawford is trying to follow the path of his father, Carl Crawford, to Major League Baseball.

Could he make that journey faster than dear old dad?

On Thursday, Crawford became the newest member of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 overall prospects. He joins two Phillies pitching prospects in the Top 100 — Andrew Painter (No. 9) and Mick Abel (No. 34).

Crawford is playing his first full season of professional baseball after he was selected No. 17 overall out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nev.

The bloodlines are there, being the son of a Major Leaguer. But there’s a ton of promise there in the younger Crawford, even though MLB.com projects him as a 2026 call-up to the Majors.

Could he make it faster? Perhaps Carl’s journey is a helpful guide.

Carl wasn’t quite as highly-regarded than Justin. He was a second-round pick in 1999 out of Davis High School in Houston, Texas.

The Tampa Bay Rays sent him immediately to their rookie league team at Princeton in the Appalachian League in 1999. He played 60 games there.

After that, he made a yearly progression — Single-A in Charleston in 2000, Double-A in Orlando in 2001 and Triple-A in Durham in 2002 before his call-up to Tampa Bay later that season. So basically three full seasons, when you consider a half-season at Princeton and a half-season at Durham.

Could Justin make it faster? He’s at Clearwater, the Phillies’ Single-A affiliate. In 2022, after he was drafted, he played 16 games — 11 with the Phillies’ Florida Complex League team (their rookie league team) and five with Clearwater.

Looking at Justin’s numbers through 43 games, it’s easy to see why he moved into the Top 100. He slashed .341/.396/.459/.855. He has no home runs, but he drove in 30 runs, scored 34 runs and stole 30 bases.

It’s logical to see Crawford making the jump to High Class-A Jersey Shore sometime this season. If so, he could earn a non-roster invite to Phillies Spring Training next February and play his way to into a role with Double-A Reading in 2024. Succeed there, and Triple-A Lehigh Valley would follow.

A projected 2026 call-up? Between the early success with his bat, the speed on the base paths and his plus glove, Crawford could make it sooner. But, at 19 years old, he may have a hard time beating his father’s debut at age 20. 

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