Justin Crawford looks ready for a September call-up but I have no idea where the Phillies would put him
Rather than waiting for a call-up from the Phillies, Justin Crawford is quite literally forcing the issue in Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
The 20-year-old outfielder, better known for his speed than his power, has suddenly started to show both. Crawford just went deep for the third time in four games, drove in a pair of runs, and drew a walk in yet another multi-hit performance, his fourth straight.
Justin Crawford is dominating AAA ball
- Justin Crawford August: .351/.396/.521, 3 HR, 9 SB
- Justin Crawford this season: .333/.409/.454, 7 HR, 43 SB
- Justin Crawford MiLB career: .321/.384/.446, 19 HR, 142 SB
Crawford is now 9-for-19 in his last four games, pushing his International League-leading batting average to .333, the third-best mark in all of Minor League Baseball.
What makes it scarier for pitchers is that he’s been consistent all season long. Crawford has hit .290 or better in every full month of 2025, and he’s been absurd in August, slashing .357.
I don’t know where the Phillies could put Justin Crawford?
Here’s the main issue. In any other scenario, Justin Crawford would be with the Phillies already, but the major league club has four outfielders that are all playing great baseball right now.
Phillies’ outfield rotation is still searching for answers
Brandon Marsh, arguably the Phillies’ hottest hitter over the past two months is on the bench. Nick Castellanos, one of the Phillies “star players” has also been getting a large amount of days off down the stretch.
That’s because Max Kepler is now raking and Harrison Bader is who I personally thought he was when Dombrowski brought him into the mix at the deadline.
Harrison Bader’s stats since joining the Phillies:
67 AB | 21 H | 4 2B | 2 HR | 6 RBI | 7 BB | 16 K | .313/.397/.493
Justin Crawford would join an already-packed outfield as the fifth option for Rob Thomson’s platoon and honestly, I don’t think that warrants a September call-up. If he’s not playing everyday, what’s the point?
While Crawford’s calling card will always be his elite speed, but now he’s flashing bat-to-ball consistency and sprinkling in some power. Again, in any other situation, it would be an easy call-up, but with the Phillies down the stretch, it’s a complicated one.
Read more on Kyle Schwarber and the Phillies here >>
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Four OFs playing great baseball? What are you smoking?
crack but at the time when this was published, everyone was playing well. marsh, kepler, bader are still playing well. the only fall off is casty. what are you smoking champ?