By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies are making their first big September roster addition. After falling to the Mets, 11-7, on Labor Day, the Phils plan to call shortstop J.P. Crawford up to the big leagues. He'll join the team for game two of their series in New York against the Mets.
J.P. Crawford will join the Phillies tomorrow night in New York.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) September 4, 2017
Crawford helped lead Triple-A Lehigh Valley to an International League playoff berth on Monday, going 1-for-3 with a two-run homer, but won't be sticking around for the postseason with his Ironpigs teammates. Instead, he'll be added to the Phillies roster, a dream he's been striving to achieve since he was a child.
JP on promotion: "Playoffs best time to play baseball, but big leagues sound a lot better. Been working at it since I was 5 years old."
— Tom Housenick (@TomHousenick) September 4, 2017
The step up to the big leagues has been a long time coming for Crawford, who's been ranked as the organization's top prospect for four straight years until the middle of this season, when he slipped to fourth on MLB Pipeline's list. Crawford had a horrendous start to his first full Triple-A season, hitting .211 in the first half prior to the All-Star Break. He's really shown great progression in the second half though, slashing .286/.383/.500 with 11 doubles, three triples, eight home runs, 27 RBIs, 34 runs scored and 29 walks.
Overall this season for the Ironpigs, the 22-year-old native of Lakewood, California is slashing .242/.350/.399 with 20 doubles, six triples, 14 home runs, 97 strikeouts and 78 walks. In 532 Minor League games, Crawford is hitting .270 with nearly as many walks (310) as he has strikeouts (340). His approach and plate discipline have been consistent through his rise in the Phillies minor league system over the years and now he will get the opportunity to prove he belongs at the big league level.
It's unknown as to where Crawford will play or even how often he'll play, but the most likely spot seems to be third base with Maikel Franco in a season-long slump. J.P. has gotten reps at second base too, so Pete Mackanin could juggle him around the infield while also giving some of the regulars a day off moving forward.
