The Phillies AA Reading affiliate is off to a pretty decent start, going 11-7 in the early going. The Reading Fightin' Phils may even get a little stronger in the near future. Phillies shortstop prospect J.P Crawford, who has missed the start of the season, could be near a return.
Jay Floyd of Phoul Ballz reports:
Top Phillies prospect J.P. Crawford, who has been out of action since late March with an oblique strain, is nearing a return.
After required rest, the 20-year-old is back in action, playing daily with the extended spring training team in Florida.
According to Crawford, he is feeling "ready to go", but the decision to activate him to a full-season team roster, either Class A Advanced Clearwater or Double-A Reading, will come from the team's athletic training staff, who is keeping a close eye on the youngster.
Floyd also notes that pitcher Shane Watson could rejoin extended Spring Training soon.
While the Phillies' big league club continues to scuffle, AA Reading has been a bright spot in the organization. Unless some of the major pieces are moved to AAA Lehigh Valley, Reading could be in contention for an Eastern League title in 2015. Of course, success in Reading does not always translate to the big leagues. The 1995 Reading Phillies won the Eastern League title, but only third baseman Scott Rolen, reliever Wayne Gomes, catchers Bobby Estallela and Gary Bennett, and Kevin Sefcik really made any type of major league impact.
