After missing the first month and change of the season, Phillies number one top prospect J.P. Crawford was activated off the disabled list this week and make his season debut for Clearwater against Brevard County. The 20-year-old shortstop missed time after suffering an oblique injury in Spring Training and served as the designated hitter in today's matchup.
Crawford made an immediate impact in his second at-bat, launching a 2-2 pitch into the lawn seating at Bright House Field to give the Threshers a 2-0 lead. In the fifth inning, Crawford drew a walk and stole second before being driven in by Andrew Pullin with an RBI-single. In the eighth, Crawford was hit by an 0-1 pitch to bring in a run with the bases loaded. He spoke to Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer following the game on how it felt to be back on the field.
“It feels great to finally come back here with a lot of my friends and playing with them again,” Crawford said by phone. “I’ve been itching to get back. I’m really happy.”
“I saw some good pitching,” Crawford said. “I felt comfortable and good in the box. I executed.”
The Phillies No. 1 prospect finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate with a two-run homer, two runs scored and three RBI's in his first action of the season. Crawford and the Threshers travel to Daytona for a three-game set with the Tortugas, Advanced 'A' affiliate of the Reds.
If Crawford produces and suffers no setbacks for Clearwater, we could soon be seeing him at the top of the lineup with the also speedy Roman Quinn in Reading before too long.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
