Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Crawford knew he’d make bigs someday
NEW YORK » J.P. Crawford never doubted that he would be a major-league player.
He didn’t doubt it when it seemed there was no place for him in the Phillies’ infield.
He didn’t doubt it when he slumped early this season in the minors.
He didn’t doubt it when Baseball America, which apparently is in charge of such things, dropped him as low as No. 92 among baseball prospects, after once listing him as high as No. 3. No doubts? Ever? “No,” the newest Phillies infielder said Tuesday, before a 9-1 victory over the New York Mets. “My confidence will never go down. My parents taught me better than that. They told me to always keep my head up. I worked hard every day and eventually the results were going to come.”
So, they have come, with Crawford being promoted to the majors immediately after the conclusion of the Class AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs’ regular season Monday, and even before they could play a postseason game.
“The first person I called was my mom,” he said. “She went nuts. She was real happy.”
Hitting seventh and playing third base Tuesday, Crawford went 1-for5, striking out twice. He also made a splendid play in the eighth, going to his left to smother a sharp Juan Lagares grounder and begin a double-play, ending the Mets’ bases-loaded threat.
“It was a dream come true, stepping onto the field.” Crawford said. “Looking
around, I said to myself, ‘I’m really here.’ I’ve been working on it so long just to get to here.”
Though a 2013 firstround draft choice, and while a player said for years to possess star potential, Crawford does not feel pressure to instantly dazzle.
“No,” he said. “I try not to worry about that stuff. Once you get on the field, everyone is the same player. Everyone is coming to take your job. I just want to try to stick to myself and try to play my game.”
Crawford muscled a Josh Smoker pitch to center in the fifth for his first majorleague hit. It was his first big-league response to that
Baseball America analysis of his difficult early start to the season.
“That kind of sparked a fire right there,” he said. “It was the first time I needed something like that.”
*** Pete Mackanin expects to play Crawford at third again Wednesday. He had a pregame chat with Maikel Franco about the situation.
“He accepted it, and I told him what we’re going to do,” the manager said. “He was fine. He didn’t say much. I told him, ‘You have to hit better.’ He’s still our third baseman. And I think he is going to hit. But once again, there is competition everywhere in your own
organization. And people want to play in the big leagues. They are going to try to take your job. Don’t let anybody take your job.”
Mackanin expects Crawford to play some at second base, and to play shortstop roughly once a week for the rest of this season.
*** The Phillies have played 138 games. Shortstop Freddy Galvis has started every one. With the promotion of Crawford, however, the loose plan of him going 162-for-162 may unravel.
“Maybe he won’t play,” Mackanin said. “He and I have talked. We’ll see how he feels. He might want to have some time off.”
If whenever Crawford plays short, might Mackanin give Galvis a start at second?
“Maybe I will,” he said. “Maybe I won’t.”
Galvis greeted Crawford with a hug in the clubhouse.
“Well, Freddy was very good about it,” Mackanin said. “Right now, he’s our shortstop. And that’s the way I look at it.”
*** Ben Lively drilled a tworun single in the second and a two-run homer to center in the fourth. He has two home runs and eight RBIs this season.
“In between starts, do you know what I am doing every day?” Lively said. “I’m
in the gym.”
In improving to 3-5, Lively pitched seven innings, allowing one run, striking out four and walking three.
*** NOTES » Cameron Rupp is the Phillies’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award . ... Andy MacPhail was a clubhouse visitor. The team president chose not to take baseball questions. … Aaron Altherr (hamstring) was available to play but not start, according to Mackanin. … Mackanin has not decided whether to play Rhys Hoskins at first or in left Wednesday, when Nick Pivetta (5-9, 6.28 ERA) faces the Mets at 7:10.