J.P. Crawford, Shortstop, Philadelphia Phillies
Age: 21 
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 180 lbs.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
2015 Minor League Stats: (A+ & AA): 500 PA, .288/.380/.414, 6 HR, 68 R, 12 SB
The Philadelphia Phillies are in the midst of a full rebuild mode and have stocked their minor league system with strong young talent over the last 18 months. Headed into the 2015 season, Baseball America ranked Philadelphia’s minor league system No. 22 overall. This year they have catapulted all the way to No. 8. The team moved several valuable trade pieces that included Cole Hamels and Ken Giles and managed to turn them into Mark Appel, Jerad Eickhoff, and Jorge Affalo, among others.
While the team’s recent trades have given the organization plenty of hope for the future, they have made a few very good draft picks over the last several years as well. One of those players is their shortstop of the future: J.P. Crawford. Drafted out of Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Calif., Crawford has emerged as the top prospect in the entire organization. His great plate discipline, above average speed, and developing power are going to fit well at the top of the Phillies lineup as soon as this season.
Crawford is not currently exceptional in any category, but his upside is immense. It would be unwise to read too in depth into his perceived lack of power given the fact that he is only 21 years old. Sure, other young prospects such as Joey Gallo had no problem going deep 40 times at the age of 20, but we are talking about two entirely different players. What we should expect from Crawford is a gradual improvement in the power department over the next several years. His raw power numbers (ISO) have been well below average (low 100’s) over three minor league seasons, but it was encouraging to see a jump to .142 over 405 plate appearances at Double-A in 2015. In his prime, Crawford could reach 15-20 home runs on a consistent basis.
Looking at Crawford’s speed should give fantasy owners more confidence when dissecting the counting categories. He has swiped 50 bags in three seasons, but it is worth noting that he was also caught 24 times, equating to a stolen base percentage of 68 percent. By no means does Crawford have lightning speed, but he has shown that he isn’t afraid to move on the base paths. If he can make fewer mistakes, he could be a perennial 20-25 stolen base threat, especially if the Phillies coaching staff gives him the green light.
The juiciest part of Crawford’s overall game at this point is his exceptional plate discipline. In 2015 at Double-A Reading, Crawford managed to walk more than he struck out. With a walk percentage of 12.1 percent and a strikeout percentage of 11.1 percent, Crawford showed why he would likely be the Phillies leadoff man as soon as 2017 assuming that he continues his progression this year. While he will likely never post elite walk numbers, he is going to be on base often due to his high contact rate.
There is little doubt that Crawford will be a solid major league player once he arrives, but the more important question at this point is, what can fantasy owners expect? Crawford isn’t elite in any way with the offensive part of his game, but he does a little bit of everything, which cuts his overall risk down considerably.
It would be almost sacrilegious to make this type of comparison, but Crawford has the make-up and minor league numbers of a young Derek Jeter. Though Jeter settled in as a 15-20 homer guy, we never saw that type of power in the minors. What we did see during his minor league career, though, was fantastic plate discipline with a high average and minimal strikeouts. It would be downright arrogant to say that Crawford will be the next Jeter, but the early comparisons are there.
What fantasy owners—especially in dynasty leagues—need to know is that Crawford has the pedigree to become one of the better shortstop in the league within the next couple of years. He has no real value in redraft leagues this season, but in a deep keeper league, he warrants a late-round pick, especially if you can keep players based on round the following year.
If J.P. Crawford ends up as the second coming of Derek Jeter, just remember you heard it here first. And if he ends up as nothing more than a solid shortstop for fantasy owners for the next 15 years—well, be satisfied with the titles you win because he’s sure to be an anchor.