Justin Crawford, Team USA dominate Mexico, punch tickets to Premier12 Super Round

Team USA brought the fireworks Thursday night, steamrolling Mexico 12-2 in a mercy-rule blowout to secure a spot in the Super Round of the WBSC Premier12.

The bats were alive, the pitching was clutch, and now the squad is heading to Tokyo with plenty of momentum. But the night truly belonged to Justin Crawford, who was at the center of the action and showcased why he’s one of the most exciting young players in the tournament.

Let’s backtrack real quick.

Justin Crawford, the Phillies’ first-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft out of Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas), is coming off a standout 2024 season in the Minors.

He began the year with the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws, hitting .301 with six home runs, 27 stolen bases, and plenty of highlight-reel moments over 70 games before he was promoted to Double-A Reading on July 12 and didn’t miss a beat, batting .333 over 40 games with three homers and 15 more stolen bases.

His impressive .317 batting average ranked sixth among all Minor League players with at least 400 at-bats this season, underscoring his ability to make consistent contact and wreak havoc on the basepaths. Crawford’s success has earned him the title of #3 prospect in the Phillies’ system and the #53 prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.

The Premier12™ Tournament is one of the most prestigious events in international baseball, featuring two groups of six teams each, competing in a round-robin format. Team USA is in Group A, alongside Mexico, Venezuela, the Netherlands, Panama, and Puerto Rico.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the finals, held at the Tokyo Dome. Group B games will be hosted in Chinese Taipei and Nagoya, Japan, featuring teams from South Korea, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Australia, and the two host nations.

Justin Crawford to Represent Team USA at Premier12, Continues Breakout Season

Justin Crawford, Team USA dominate Mexico, punch tickets to Premier12 Super Round

Mexico tried to make things interesting early, capitalizing on a throwing error by veteran starter Rich Hill to grab a 1-0 lead in the first inning. But Team USA has been here before—literally, as they’ve let opponents score first in every group game so far.

No big deal. Justin Crawford didn’t waste any time making his presence felt, stepping up in the third inning to smash a leadoff opposite-field home run that sparked the U.S. offense. The shot cleared the left-field wall with ease and fired up the entire dugout, setting the tone for the rest of the night.

Justin Crawford Home Run Ignites Team USA in Premier12

JUSTIN CRAWFORD’S TURN 💣 #Premier12 pic.twitter.com/NZhVTRBu4R

— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) November 15, 2024

Crawford wasn’t done. He followed that blast with two more hits, finishing 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. His single in the fourth inning helped keep the pressure on Mexico’s pitching staff, and he came through again in the fifth to load the bases during Team USA’s five-run explosion. Whether it was his power, speed, or knack for being in the middle of the action, Crawford was the heartbeat of the offense.

Meanwhile, the rest of the lineup backed him up. Termarr Johnson crushed a two-run homer in the second to give the U.S. an early lead, and Ryan Ward went deep twice, including a monster shot in the sixth that marked his fourth homer of the tournament. But it was Crawford who seemed to spark everything. His ability to get on base, deliver in clutch spots, and keep the energy high has been a game-changer for Team USA throughout the Premier12.

TERMARR JOHNSON WE HAVE LIFTOFF 🚀 #Premier12 pic.twitter.com/lovvXhhIRe

— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) November 15, 2024

On the mound, Rich Hill rebounded from a shaky start to deliver 3.1 strong innings, striking out six. Antonio Menendez and the bullpen kept Mexico at bay, but it was Crawford and the offense that made sure this game was never in doubt after the third inning.

The win sends Team USA to Tokyo for the Super Round, where they’ll face off against Venezuela and the top teams from Group B.

With Crawford swinging a hot bat and playing with the poise of a seasoned pro, the U.S. is poised to make some noise on the global stage. If he keeps this up, it won’t just be a tournament to remember for Team USA—it’ll be a breakout moment for Justin Crawford that could land him a job as the Philadelphia Phillies’ starting center fielder in 2025.

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