When the Philadelphia Phillies selected outfielder Justin Crawford in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft, they chose a player with a strong Major League lineage. Crawford is the son of Carl Crawford, a former first-round pick who had a long and successful MLB career.
Since joining the organization, Crawford has consistently been regarded as one of the Phillies’ top prospects. In MLB Pipeline’s 2025 preseason Top 100 prospects list, he was one of four Phillies to earn a spot. This group also included pitcher Andrew Painter and shortstop Aidan Miller, both of whom were ranked in Baseball America’s Top 100 earlier in the week. Painter came in at No. 8, Miller at No. 27, Crawford at No. 64, and catcher Eduardo Tait at No. 93. Additionally, former Phillies prospect Starlyn Caba, now with the Miami Marlins following the Jesús Luzardo trade, was ranked No. 81.
Crawford, a left-handed hitter, has excelled in the minors, batting .300 or better in each of the past two seasons. In 2024, he posted a .313/.360/.444/.804 slash line with High-A Jersey Shore and Double-A Reading, hitting nine home runs, driving in 61 runs, and stealing 42 bases. He also represented the Phillies in the MLB Futures Game alongside Miller. MLB Pipeline projects the 21-year-old Crawford to make his MLB debut in 2026.
Tait, signed by Philadelphia for $90,000 out of Panama in early 2023, advanced to full-season minor league baseball before turning 18. He’s batted .300 or better in both of his minor-league seasons, including a .302/.356/.486/.842 slash line with the Florida Complex League Phillies and Class-A Clearwater. In 2024, he tallied 11 home runs and 73 RBI. Tait is projected as a 2028 MLB call-up and could be the future replacement for J.T. Realmuto.
Miller, the Phillies’ 2023 first-round pick, is expected to make his MLB debut this season. After missing the 2023 and 2024 minor league seasons due to Tommy John surgery, the Phillies are optimistic about his return. Miller has a career record of 6-2 with a 1.48 ERA in 26 minor league starts, most of which came during his impressive 2022 campaign when he advanced to Double-A Reading. Over his minor league career, he has struck out 167 batters while walking just 25.
Last season, Miller surpassed Painter as the organization’s top prospect and reached Double-A Reading. Across three affiliates in 2024, he posted a .261/.366/.446/.812 slash line with 11 home runs and 60 RBI in 102 games.
Leave a Reply