J.P. Crawford: Prospect Profile for Philadephia Phillies’ 1st-Round Pick

Player: J.P. Crawford

Drafted by: Philadelphia Phillies (No. 16 Overall)

Position: SS

DOB: 1/11/1995 (Age: 18)

Height/Weight: 6’2”/180 lbs

Bats/Throws: L/R

School: Lakewood (Calif.) HS

College Commitment: Southern California

 

Background

Much like this year’s crop of catching prospects, the high-level middle infield talent—meaning potential Day 1 draft picks—can be counted on one hand. Of those select few players, prep shortstop J.P. Crawford stands out with the potential for four average or better tools and, more importantly, the perceived likelihood that he’ll be able to stick at the position as a professional.

A cousin of Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford, J.P. is an impressive athlete with a projectable 6’2”, 180-pound frame. And after becoming a known commodity last season on the summer showcase circuit, the left-handed hitting shortstop has only strengthened his draft stock with a strong showing this spring at Lakewood (Calif.) High School.

Although some scouts continue to question his ability to handle shortstop at the next level, Crawford will without a doubt be drafted at the position in the first round on June 6. And while he may require an extra year or two of seasoning in the minor leagues, the final product could be well worth the wait.

 

Full Scouting Report

Note: Numerical scores are on the conventional 20-80 scouting scale, where 50 is average, with the current score first and projected score second.

Hitting: 35/55

Potential for a slightly above-average hit tool; loose wrists and forearms with quick-twitch muscles; strong core; above-average bat speed; hits off a strong front side; left-handed hitter with contact-oriented approach; swing can get long at times and barrel will drag; tends to drift toward contact with hips; improving bat-to-ball ability; laces line drives across entire field.

 

Power: 30/40

At best, average power potential; should have consistent pop to the gaps at maturity; will need to make significant adjustments to his weight transfer and bat path in order to hit for average power.

 

Speed: 50/50

Good athlete with lean 6’2”, 180-pound build; speed is currently average; but can’t rule out the chance of improving a grade with the addition of strength; plays better in game settings than straight-line running.

 

Defense: 50/60

Athleticism and quickness are on display at shortstop; smooth, fluid actions; above-average range by lengthy strides and long arm; should be able to gain additional range with a looser and more active pre-pitch setup; lower half/core can be too rigid at time of contact; room to improve regarding his first step; gets rid of the ball quickly; demonstrates body control while making plays on the run.

 

Arm: 60/60 

Plus arm strength; effortless, fast arm stroke results in accurate throws across the infield with carry; does a nice job of generating momentum toward his target with athletic footwork; aids the overall accuracy of his throws. 

 

MLB Player Comparison: Starlin Castro

 

Projection: Average everyday MLB shortstop; potential No. 2 hitter if bat develops.

 

MLB ETA: Late 2017

 

Chances of Signing: 99.9 percent

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Philadelphia Phillies’ Top 10 Prospects Rankings, Spring Forecasts

Headed into the 2012 season, nobody expected the Phillies to be anything less than a playoff contender, let alone struggle mightily as they did.

By the all-star break, the team’s postseason aspirations had faded, and a few weeks later they began clearing house by moving both Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino at the trade deadline.

However, while their overall season was a disappointment, they did add a few nice pieces to their severely depleted farm system in Ethan Martin and Tommy Joseph. Furthermore, pitching prospects such as Jesse Biddle, Adam Morgan and Jonathan Pettibone all took steps forward in terms of individual development, while Maikel Franco and Roman Quinn established themselves as young, high-ceiling talent.

As you will see, their top 10 has a much different look than it did a year ago.

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Ranking the 5 Most Underrated Prospects in the Phillies’ Farm System

When composing my list of the top 10 prospects in the Philadelphia Phillies’ farm system, I was surprised by the lack of projectable players beyond the organization’s big names, namely Jesse Biddle. Although they do house numerous under-the-radar, high-ceiling prospects throughout their system, such as Roman Quinn and Maikel Franco, only a select few project favorably in the major leagues.

In selecting players for this article, I looked for prospects that are behind the developmental curve relative to their age, have a concerning medical history, lack significant experience in the minor leagues or are simply under-appreciated.

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Is Phillies’ Outfielder Domonic Brown No Longer a True Blue Chip Prospect?

It wasn’t long ago that Domonic Brown was considered one of the top prospects in the game. In fact, Baseball America ranked Brown as baseball’s No. 4 prospect before the 2011 season—and with good reason.

Brown seemingly had it all: a tall, projectable frame, athleticism, emerging baseball skills and a mature feel for the game. He was fresh off of a 2010 season in which he batted .327/.391/.589 with 20 home runs, 17 stolen bases and 51/29 K/BB in 93 games between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Brown, a 22-year-old at the time, also reached the major leagues for the first time in late July and batted .210/.257/.355 with 24 strikeouts in 35 games. While his weaknesses were certainly exposed, he still showcased loud tools and plenty of natural ability.

He entered the 2011 season as a strong candidate for one of the Phillies’ corner outfield spots, but fractured the hamate bone in his right wrist in early March and didn’t return until late April. He returned to the major leagues in late May and hung around until the end of July when was demoted to the minor leagues.

Overall, it was a hugely disappointing year for the outfielder, posting a .725 OPS in 210 plate appearances.

Since then, Brown’s stock has taken a hit to the point where his long-term role with the organization is uncertain. He spent most of the 2012 season in the minor leagues, and when he was finally called up in late July, he posted a .712 OPS in 212 plate appearances—nearly identical to his 2011 output.

Once again Brown will be in the mix for playing time to open the 2013 season, but that could change if the Phillies sign a free-agent corner outfielder. Having said that, it’s apparent that the organization is questioning whether the 25-year-old will ever produce at the major-league level.

It was just last week that we learned the Phillies and Cubs had discussed a swap of Alfonso Soriano for Brown.

It’s also worth noting that in Brown’s 10-year forecast at Baseball Prospectus, his WARP projection ranges from 1.1 to 2.0, with the high end occurring in his peak seasons.

The one facet of Brown’s game that makes me optimistic is his plate discipline, which was solid in the major leagues in both 2011 and 2012. Beyond that, he still gives something to dream on with outstanding athleticism and impact tools.

However, if he does receive significant playing time in the major leagues this season, it will likely be his last chance—at least with the Phillies. 

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Ranking the Top 10 Prospects in the Philadelphia Phillies’ Farm System

Headed into the 2012 season, nobody expected the Phillies to be anything less than a playoff contender, let alone struggle as they did.

By the All-Star break, the team’s postseason aspirations were fading quickly, and a few weeks later, they began clearing house by moving both Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino at the July 31 trade deadline.

However, while their overall season was a disappointment, they did add a few nice pieces to their severely depleted farm system in RHP Ethan Martin and C Tommy Joseph. And it’s a good thing that they did, because a majority of their highly-regarded prospects headed into the season endured a regression.

Although they possess a host of young pitching, as well as a few intriguing position prospects, the organization has only one potential star prospect in left-hander Jesse Biddle. And as you will see, their top 10 has a much different look than it did a year ago.

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Who Is the Most Irreplaceable Philadelphia Phillies Prospect?

Hailing from Germantown Friends High School, the Philadelphia Phillies had the privilege of seeing local-product Jesse Biddle on a weekly basis, heavily scouting each one of his starts in the spring of 2010. Therefore, it came as no surprise when they made the left-hander their first-round selection (27^th overall) in June. Despite his perceived strong commitment to the University of Oregon, the Phillies were able to lure him away with a $1.16 singing bonus.

Regarded as a highly projectable but unpolished high school senior, Biddle’s mediocre professional debut between the rookie-level Gulf Coast League and Short-Season New York-Penn League was somewhat expected. He ultimately made 12 starts in his age-18 season, registering a 3.92 ERA, 10.3 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 43.2 innings.

Assigned to Low-A Lakewood for his full-season debut in 2011, Biddle excelled as the third-youngest pitcher in the South Atlantic League—but that’s not to say he didn’t endure his share of struggles. Overall, the 19-year-old was 7-8 with a 2.98 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 8.4 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9 in 133 innings spanning 24 starts.

Throughout the season, he struggled with the command of both his fastball and secondary pitches, but nothing out of the ordinary for a player his age. At the same time, Biddle also made strides in improving the overall quality of his arsenal, prioritizing a sharp curveball over his slider while developing a changeup.

The Phillies handed Biddle a well-deserved promotion to open the 2012 season, assigning the 20-year-old to High-A Clearwater in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. Once again he responded favorably, emerging as one of the league’s top pitching prospects in what was a breakout campaign.

The left-hander finished the season with a 10-6 record, 3.22 ERA, 9.5 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 over 26 starts, and paced the Florida State League with 151 strikeouts in 142.2 innings. He also posted the third-best ERA among all qualified pitchers.

Biddle’s success as a younger player in an advanced league can be attributed to his vastly improved command and confidence in his full arsenal. For the first time in his career, Biddle consistently located his fastball throughout the strike zone, which, in turn, made his secondary offerings all the more effective.

With a tendency to spike his curveball in previous seasons, he demonstrated the ability to throw the pitch for a strike and locate it out of the zone to draw swing-and-misses. Additionally, his changeup emerged as a third potentially above-average pitch as he learned to throw it with a more convincing arm action.

At 6’4”, 225 pounds, Biddle has a durable frame that allows him to work deep into starts. Over the last two years, he’s smoothed out his mechanics by eliminating some jerky movement with his upper body. He still throws across his body but has become more comfortable with the delivery and repeats it with consistency.

Using his height to throw on a downward plane, Biddle’s two-seam fastball seemingly jumps on opposing hitters and is most effective in the 90 to 93 mph range with arm-side action. His curveball is of the 11-to-5, downer variety, and he throws it hard to achieve tight rotation. His changeup has also emerged as an effective weapon with late fading action.

More importantly, Biddle has drawn praise at every minor league stop for his competitiveness and overall demeanor on the mound. Combine that with his size and three-pitch mix of above-average pitches, and the left-hander has the makings of a No. 2 or 3 starter in the major leagues. Considering the age and related health concerns of the team’s big league starting rotation, Biddle is on pace to make his debut by the end of the 2014 season, if not sooner.

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4 Prospects the Phillies Must Turn to NOW to Fulfill Epic Wild-Card Comeback

After Monday night’s 3-1 win over the Mets, the Philadelphia Phillies have evened their 2012 record at 74-74 and now trail the Cardinals for the second wild-card spot by only 3.5 games. Not bad for a team that traded a pair of All-Star outfielders (Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence) at the trade deadline and was declared down and out.

However, as they always seem to do, the Phillies are right back in the playoff race after posting a 17-12 record in August and 11-5 record in September. Of the 28 total wins, the three-headed monster of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels have accounted for 13 of them.

With 14 games remaining, including three against the Braves and six against the Nationals, the Phillies will need contributions from every player on their roster in order to secure a postseason berth.

While veterans like Halladay, Lee, Hamels, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley will likely carry the team—as they always seem to do at this time of year—it’s the Phillies’ prospects who could ultimately make the greatest impact.

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10 Most Exciting Prospects the Philadelphia Phillies Will Promote in September

After trading both Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino at the July 31 trade deadline—and Joe Blanton shortly thereafter—the Philadelphia Phillies are undoubtedly an organization that’s re-tooling and building for the future. In recent years, the team traded away many of its top prospects—last year it was RHP Jarred Cosart and 1B Jonathan Singleton to the Astros for Pence. So, with the team seemingly out of playoff contention, the Phillies decided to trim the payroll while replenishing their depleted system.

When rosters expand at the beginning of September, the Phillies are one of several teams in a position to promote some of their more advanced prospects. In their case, primarily right-handed pitchers.

Here is a look at 10 Phillies prospects who could receive a September call-up.

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Phillies Trade Rumors: Assembling Perfect Prospect Packages for All Top Chips

With less than 24 hours until Major League Baseball’s trade deadline, there will likely be a slew of deals that transpire. The most notable team of those said to be “sellers” is the Philadelphia Phillies, who are prepared to unload Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence and Joe Blanton, according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com.

There’s also a strong chance the team trades Juan Pierre and Ty Wiggington by the deadline, says Salisbury, with multiple teams interested in both players.

The Phillies’ wild-card trade candidate is of course Cliff Lee, who has been rumored to be the center of discussions between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers. However, as FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported today, those talks have subsided.

In return for their coveted players, the Phillies are looking for near big-league ready prospects and, in general, are expecting flattering offers across the board.

Assuming that the organization ultimately executes prospect-centered trades for Victorino, Pence, Blanton, Lee, Wiggington and Pierre, here is the type of return they could receive from potential suitors.

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Mitch Gueller to Phillies: Video Highlights, Scouting Report and Analysis

Position: RHP/OF

Height/Weight: 6’3”/205 lbs

Bats/Throws: R/R

High School: Rochester HS (Wash.)

College Commitment: Washington State

 

An immensely athletic ballplayer who has flown under the radar, Gueller is a player who profiles equally well on the mound as he does in the outfield. However, given his strong showing on the mound this spring, chances are he’s developed as a pitcher.

The right-hander’s fastball sits in the low-90s and occasionally scrapes 95-96, and he consistently locates in down the zone with late life. His curve has steadily improved all season, too, featuring excellent pace and late downward movement. Gueller also has a changeup in his arsenal, although it’s a seldom thrown pitch and undeveloped due to his lack of experience.

A three-sport standout in high school, Gueller’s athleticism gives him a high ceiling as well as a chance to reach it. Furthermore, it should aid his development in the minor leagues and provide him with a chance to reach the major leagues in late 2016 or early 2017. 

Analysis: Will likely wind up at the mound, has a chance to profile as an above-average outfielder as well. A while away from the bigs, but holds a high ceiling.

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