The Phillies farm system looks much different than it did a few years ago, now including the likes of Nola, Eflin, Windle, Quinn and Crawford. The big league club may not be making much noise, but the Phillies young talent is really holding their own and then some down in the minor leagues.
Lost behind the Mets three-game sweep of the Phillies yesterday was the release of Keith Law's updated Top 25 prospects list on ESPN.com. At the beginning of the year, Phillies top prospect J.P. Crawford was ranked 7th on Law's list, but has since jumped three spots to 4th in his latest update. Law points out Crawford's elite defense and his "tremendous" bat to-ball skills.
Crawford, sidelined with an oblique injury to start the season, has returned to the field with reckless abandon, slashing .382/.488/.426 in 18 games with Advanced 'A' Clearwater. The Phillies 20-year-old shortstop prospect is ranked behind Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager and Twins outfielder Byron Buxton. Quite the bunch to be mentioned with when it comes to top prospects in baseball.
Over his last 10 games, Crawford has hit .405 (17-42) with seven runs scored, three RBI's, five walks, six strikeouts and two stolen bases. On Wednesday against Fort Myers, Crawford went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two walks. There's no doubting the fact that Crawford will be joining the Phillies other top young talent in Double-A Reading at some point this season.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
