Justin Crawford - Page 4 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Phillies' Justin Crawford roster news has huge Opening Day implications | Sporting News Philadelphia fans will be excited about this.

MARCH 21 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Opening season in majors The Phillies informed Crawford on Saturday that he will be on the team's Opening Day roster, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Crawford has slashed .277/.320/.383 with two RBI, 10 runs scored and three stolen bases through 50 plate appearances in the Grapefruit League -- good enough for the Phillies to feel comfortable naming him as their primary center fielder. The 22-year-old has demonstrated an excellent ability to make contact during his time in the minors and boasts exceptional speed, having swiped 46 bags at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025. However, he may face competition for playing time once Johan Rojas returns from his 80-game suspension in late June.

MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE

NL East Preview: Phillies bring back core as they try to hold off new-look Mets, banged-up Braves

Still powered by Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, the Philadelphia Phillies are bringing back mostly the same team that won its second consecutive NL East title last season and mad...

MARCH 19 • Associated Press

Looking like primary center fielder Crawford went 1-for-4 with an RBI, two runs scored and one stolen base in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Impact After being invited to Phillies camp for spring training, the 22-year-old outfielder has responded by batting .250 (9-for-36) with two RBI, two doubles, seven runs scored and two steals over 12 Grapefruit League outings. Crawford, one of Philadelphia's top prospects, appears poised for an Opening Day roster spot and is likely to see plenty of action in center field in 2026, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. It's also worth noting that Johan Rojas is facing a potential 80-game suspension at the onset of the regular season due to a positive drug test. Last year for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Crawford hit .334 with 34 extra-base hits, 47 RBI, 88 runs scored and 46 stolen bases across 440 at-bats.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

This blockbuster led to Crawford meeting Mattingly - now his bench coach - nearly 15 years ago CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Justin Crawford's face lit up when asked about his first encounter with new Phillies bench coach Don Mattingly. It wasn'...

MARCH 8 • MLB.COM

Phillies trade idea sends Justin Crawford, two prospects for 35-homer Twins center fielder | Sporting News This would be a wild trade to make right before the 2026 MLB season.

MARCH 5 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Who is Justin Crawford's dad? Phillies' phenom has famous MLB father | Sporting News This is a second-generation speedster.

FEBRUARY 24 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Phillies Prospect Justin Crawford Reacts to Solid Spring Debut Justin Crawford has a chance to change the complexion of the Phillies' lineup if his skill sets translates quickly to the majors.

FEBRUARY 23 • SI.COM

Phillies' Justin Crawford reveals sneaky bunt strategy he plans to use this season | Sporting News This is an interesting strategy for the rookie speedster.

FEBRUARY 22 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Invited to spring training The Phillies have extended Crawford an invitation to big-league camp during spring training.

Impact The decision comes as no surprise, as Crawford -- while not yet on the 40-man roster -- is expected to open the 2026 season as the Phillies' primary center fielder. Crawford slashed .334/.411/.452 with seven home runs and 46 stolen bases at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025 and is heading into his age-22 season.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

In line to start in center field Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday that the team plans to have Brandon Marsh, Crawford and Adolis Garcia as its primary outfielders in 2026, Mat...

Impact The Phillies officially announced the Garcia signing Tuesday, and Dombrowski intimated that another notable addition to the club's outfield is unlikely. Crawford will still have to show in spring training that he's ready to take over as the Phillies' primary center fielder, but the team is positioning him to be the guy at that position. There are questions about Crawford's defense in center field, but his bat looks ready after he slashed .334/.411/.452 with seven home runs and 46 stolen bases at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025 as a 21-year-old.

DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Phillies top OF prospect Justin Crawford expected to make Opening Day roster | Sporting News Phillies' Justin Crawford expected to make large contributions in 2026.

NOVEMBER 13, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Expected to make Opening Day roster Crawford has a strong chance to open the season in the majors according to Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact The Phillies lost Max Kepler and Harrison Bader to free agency and are expected to trade or release Nick Castellanos, which would leave Brandon Marsh as the team's only returning outfielder. Even if they sign an outfielder in free agency, that would still leave a spot open for Crawford in center or left field. The 21-year-old makes good contact, striking out 18.0 percent of the time in 112 Triple-A games last season en route to a .334 batting average, and he can really run, stealing 40-plus bags for three straight years. He pounds the ball into the ground, however, and has topped out at nine home runs.

NOVEMBER 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

With trio of top prospects, Phillies poised to leave door open to youth refresh Dave Dombrowski’s messaging about prospects has been consistent over the years. It applies to Justin Crawford, Aidan Miller and Andrew Paint...

OCTOBER 17, 2025 • DELCOTIMES.COM

Team not sold on CF defense The Phillies are unconvinced that Crawford is currently capable of playing average defense in center field, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Crawford's bat looks major-league ready after he slashed .334/.411/.452 with seven home runs and 46 stolen bases at Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season as a 21-year-old. However, the Phillies aren't confident he could handle center field defensively at the big-league level right now, which makes him a more difficult fit on their roster. Crawford did play some left field in 2025 for the first time in pro ball and also got some starts at designated hitter. He'll turn just 22 in January, so it's possible Crawford develops into a better defender. Depending on how the Phillies' offseason plays out, the club could give Crawford a shot in center field in 2026 and hope his defense improves.

OCTOBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Recovering from concussion It's unknown if Crawford (concussion) will play again this season, MLB.com reports.

Impact Crawford departed Triple-A Lehigh Valley's contest on Sept. 4 following a collision with Otto Kemp on a fly ball, and the former remains in the concussion protocol after going on the injured list on Sept. 5. Lehigh Valley's season finale is scheduled for Sept. 21, which gives Crawford a bit more than a week to recover. The 21-year-old speedster is one of Philadelphia's top prospects, slashing .334/.411/.452 with 34 extra-base hits, 47 RBI, 88 runs scored and 46 stolen bases across 506 plate appearances in the minor leagues.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Phillies GM reveals reasoning for team's Justin Crawford decision | Sporting News The Phillies aren't calling up Justin Crawford just yet.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Chill Phillies prospect Justin Crawford just keeps hitting for IronPigs Despite a whirlwind of speculation regarding trades and call-ups, Phillies prospect Justin Crawford stayed focused on continuing his stellar...

AUGUST 9, 2025 • MCALL.COM

De George: In keeping Andrew Painter and Justin Crawford, Phillies need to find them roles The transaction ledger at the end of business on July 31 will show the Philadelphia Phillies having added two players who will play a role i...

AUGUST 1, 2025 • MCALL.COM

Phillies Set Updated Timeline for Justin Crawford's MLB Debut The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to wait until after the MLB trade deadline before calling up outfield prospect Justin Crawford.

JULY 22, 2025 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Phillies Could Trade Top Prospect Amid Questions Surrounding MLB Debut The Philadelphia Phillies could dangle top prospect Justin Crawford in trade talks ahead of the trade deadline.

JULY 2, 2025 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

IronPigs Crawford, Anthony making the most of their special skill set IronPigs Justin Crawford and Keaton Anthony are able to read the ball quickly out of a pitcher’s hand. That allows them to react to whatever...

JUNE 24, 2025 • MCALL.COM

Moves past quad injury Crawford (quadriceps) has gone 2-for-9 with a walk while making a pair of starts in center field since returning to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley lineup Saturday.

Impact Crawford missed just over a week's worth of due to a quad injury, but Lehigh Valley never placed him on its injured list before he checked back into the starting nine this weekend. The 21-year-old is now batting .344/.411/.439 with 23 steals in 29 attempts through 54 games at Triple-A, and his contact skills and speed could earn him a look in the majors at some point later this summer if the Phillies aren't satisfied with the production the duo of Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas are providing in their center field platoon.

JUNE 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Moves past quad injury Crawford (quadriceps) has gone 2-for-9 with a walk while making a pair of starts in center field since returning to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley lineup Saturday.

Impact Crawford missed just over a week's worth of action due to a quad injury, but Lehigh Valley never placed him on its injured list before he checked back into the starting nine this weekend. The 21-year-old is now batting .344/.411/.439 with 23 steals in 29 attempts through 54 games at Triple-A, and his contact skills and speed could earn him a look in the majors at some point later this summer if the Phillies aren't satisfied with the production the duo of Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas are providing in their center-field platoon.

JUNE 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with quad injury Crawford hasn't played for Triple-A Lehigh Valley since June 5 due to a quad injury, Corey Nidoh of Philly Sports Network reports.

Impact He reportedly participated in pregame activities Tuesday but has missed six games in a row with the injury without having been placed on the 7-day injured list. Crawford, 21, is one of the youngest players at Triple-A and is slashing .349/.416/.448 with one home run and 23 steals in 52 games. He could produce a high average and a plethora of steals if given a shot in the big leagues later this summer, but his extreme groundball (63.6 GB%) and opposite-field (43.8 Oppo%) tendencies will prevent him from hitting for notable power.

JUNE 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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NL East Preview: Phillies bring back core as they try to hold off new-look Mets, banged-up Braves