By: Tim Kelly, Managing Editor 
Though it's unclear if this was simply speculation on his part or a bit of foreshadowing of the organization's plans, Reading Fightin' Phils manager Dusty Wathan told a group of reporters Thursday, including Jay Floyd of Phoul Ballz, that he doesn't believe a promotion for top Philadelphia Phillies prospect J.P. Crawford is far off.
Reading manager Dusty Watham says he wouldn't be surprised to see JP Crawford promoted to AAA in next couple weeks or a month. #Phillies
— Jay Floyd (@PhoulBallz) May 12, 2016
Crawford, who is widely considered a top five prospects in the MLB, has been viewed as the heir apparent to Jimmy Rollins since the team selected him in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft. Now 21, and more than a year removed from Rollins even being in the organization, it appears that Crawford may not be far from the majors.
Wathan's quotes pertain to the idea of Crawford moving from the Double A Reading Fightin Phils to the Triple A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, though top prospects don't normally spend much time at the Triple A level. Aaron Nola, for example, only made six starts for Lehigh Valley after a promotion last summer before being called up to the major leagues. Nola was drafted out of college and isn't a position player, but it would seem to be fair to assume that a promotion to Triple A, barring any major setbacks, would mean that the top shortstop prospect in the minors is close to making his major league debut.
Crawford, 21, is batting .257 with eight RBIs, six stolen bases and 25 walks in 113 at-bats at the Double A level in 2016. In 20 at-bats with the major league club this spring, Crawford hit .150 with one RBI and three walks.
