Philadelphia Phillies: J.P. Crawford Expectations for 2018
By Tim Boyle
What should we expect from Philadelphia Phillies shortstop J.P. Crawford in 2018?
After a whiff of big league baseball at the end of 2017, J.P. Crawford heads into the 2018 season as a possible everyday player for the Philadelphia Phillies. First, he’ll need to battle with several other infielders for a starting role. Crawford may also need some help from GM Matt Klentak to clear up roster space.
It’s amazing how much one season can change a player’s projections. Crawford struggled for the first few months this season, effectively dropping him from a top 10 prospect to someone many won’t consider top 100 next year. This has led some to believe he won’t earn the starting shortstop role without a fight. With Freddy Galvis still under contract, Crawford must stay open to playing other positions.
At best, I see Crawford having a 2018 season similar to what Jimmy Rollins put together early in his career. It’s fair to set his batting average high at .270 with a maximum of 10 home runs. Crawford hasn’t shown anything to suggest he’s about to win the Rookie of the Year Award or do anything else to make him a household name nationally.
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Instead, expect slumps, speculation and second-guessing throughout the year. No matter when it is that Crawford joins the 25-man roster, things will be less than ideal. His .243 batting average last season at Triple-A is unattractive. Thankfully, Crawford did stay patient at the plate. Despite not hitting well, he regularly got on base. He finished his stint with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs with a .351 OBP.
The impressive part about Crawford’s short time with the Phillies is that he carried over his plate discipline. In 87 trips to the plate, Crawford batted only .214, but did draw 16 walks which gave him an impressive .356 OBP over the 23 games he played in.
By the end of 2018, the Phillies will know more about what Crawford can do. My guess is the Phillies have the second coming of Galvis. Crawford won’t become a stud and may need some luck to make any All-Star teams. Leaning on a good eye at the plate is only so helpful when the bat isn’t doing much damage. Crawford looks limited when it comes to hitting for power. Those extra walks only add singles to his repertoire.
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It doesn’t make too much sense for the Phillies to keep Galvis on Opening Day while holding back Crawford for any length of time. The 2018 season won’t end with a parade down Broad Street, but it can begin with a new core in place. This includes Crawford who, like it or not, deserves a chance to show everyone what he has in his arsenal.