Justin Crawford (baseball) facts for kids

Justin Carl Crawford (born January 13, 2004) is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.

Amateur career

Crawford spent his freshman year of high school at Rolling Hills Preparatory School in Torrance, California before transferring to Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas as a sophomore. As a junior, he batted .525. In 2022, as a senior, he batted .503 with five home runs, 52 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. The Las Vegas Sun named him their Male Athlete of the Year. He was a top prospect for the upcoming Major League Baseball draft. Crawford committed to play college baseball at the University of Arizona in May 2020 but switched his commitment to Louisiana State University.

Professional career

The Philadelphia Phillies selected Crawford in the first round with the 17th overall selection of the 2022 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the team for $3.89 million on July 25. In August, Crawford played 11 games with the Florida Complex League Phillies before being promoted to the Single-A Clearwater Threshers, where he played 5 more games. In limited action in his first professional season, Crawford hit .241 with one triple as his only extra base hit and 10 stolen bases.

To open the 2023 season, Crawford was assigned to Clearwater. He was selected to the 2023 All-Star Futures Game. In mid-August, he was promoted to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. In 87 games with the two teams, he batted .332 with three home runs, 64 RBIs, and 47 stolen bases. He won the Florida State League Most Valuable Player Award and Top MLB Prospect Award for his performance with Clearwater.

Crawford started the 2024 season returning to the BlueClaws. He was promoted to the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils in July. Crawford again was picked to play in the All-Star Futures Game, where he singled and made a highlight diving catch. For the BlueClaws and Fightin Phils, he hit .313/.360/.444 with 9 home runs and 42 stolen bases.

International career

Crawford played for the United States national baseball team in the 2024 WBSC Premier12 tournament. Crawford started all 9 games in center field, batting .250 with one home run as U.S. took the bronze medal. He said it was his dream to play for his country.

Personal life

Crawford's father, Carl Crawford, played 14 seasons of Major League Baseball. His second cousin, J.P. Crawford, also a Phillies first-round pick, currently plays for the Seattle Mariners.