J.P. Crawford, known to many as Jimmy Rollins' eventual successor, got some upsetting news on Thursday morning as the team announced that the top prospect has a strained left oblique.
According to Todd Zolecki of Phillies.com, the injury could sideline the 20-year-old shortstop for 4-6 weeks.
Last season between Class 'A' Lakewood and Advanced 'A' Clearwater, Crawford hit a combined .285 with 23 doubles, 11 home runs, 48 RBIs, 24 stolen bases and a .781 OPS. He was slated to begin the season either in Clearwater or debut with Double-A Reading.
“It’s a setback for about a month,” said Joe Jordan, the Phils’ director of player development. “But it changes nothing in our hope that he gets a good part of the year at Double A. It just sets everything back about a month.” [CSNPhilly.com]
With the injury setback, it seems more likely he will get more time in Clearwater before a promotion to Double-A. Crawford was selected 16th overall by the Phillies in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.
