A single young talent can completely shift the course of a team’s season. Even in the middle of a rough stretch, their arrival might spark much-needed momentum. With that in mind, the Philadelphia Phillies could soon consider calling up outfielder Justin Crawford to the majors.
The Phillies currently sit at 70-53, holding first place in the National League East. The New York Mets trail by only five games, and Crawford’s speed and knack for getting on base could provide the edge needed to secure the division.
Such a move wouldn’t come out of nowhere. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski addressed Crawford’s future before the 2025 MLB trade deadline, giving insight into how the team plans to use him.
“The one thing, if you’re bringing Justin Crawford up at this point, he needs to play,” Dombrowski told Matt Gelb of The Athletic. “So that’s the main thing. So we need to kind of just sort out our own situation here and see when he comes up that he’s going to be a guy that’s playing all the time. He is a player who is very good and very talented. Will more development time hurt him? No. So I think that’s really more what it comes down to. It’s not only offensively, but defensively. Playing center field. Stealing bases. Just little nuances. But if we had to bring him up, or we decide to bring him up, it’s not like he can’t contribute by any means. But it really comes down to if he’s going to come here, we need him to be able to play the majority of the time.”
Crawford has been strong at Triple-A this year, batting .332 with an .853 OPS across 99 games. Over his last 10 outings, the 21-year-old has hit .405 with a .410 OBP, four stolen bases, and eight RBIs.
Contact hitting and speed remain Crawford’s calling cards, but he has also worked to elevate the ball more consistently and diversify his approach at the plate. Even if he never becomes a power hitter, the Phillies could still benefit from the tools he already brings.
Justin Crawford boasts real athleticism that could help the Phillies
Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, and J.T. Realmuto all bring power at the plate, while Trea Turner is the lone everyday player who consistently sparks the offense.
Brandon Marsh, Harrison Bader, and Edmundo Sosa have each provided energy in stretches, but it’s fair to say Justin Crawford’s potential upside is greater.
If called up, Crawford would enter an outfield that has delivered uneven results. Castellanos has managed just 15 home runs with a .694 OPS over 119 games, while Max Kepler has struggled even more, producing a .661 OPS and ranking in the 11th percentile for Batting Run Value. Marsh, however, has been a bright spot, hitting .333 over his last 15 games.
Crawford may face an adjustment period, but his speed and athleticism could make him worth the gamble. With Philadelphia’s rotation facing uncertainty, the lineup needs to be firing on all cylinders for a deep postseason run, and Crawford’s ability to put the ball in play and add speed could inject valuable energy into an already potent offense.