With the 17th overall selection in the 2022 MLB amateur draft, the Phillies chose high school outfielder Justin Crawford.
The 18-year-old is the son of four-time big league All-Star Carl Crawford.
Listed at six-feet-three, 175-pound, Justin Crawford is a lefty batting outfielder, who projects as a top-of-the order speedster. A graduate of well renowned Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, NV, the talented prospect is committed to play collegiate baseball at Louisianna State.
Crawford was ranked as the top high school player in Nevada and placed among the top three outfielders in the country.
The elder Crawford led the American League in stolen bases four times in his career and exceed 45 steals in a season seven times, tallying 480 big league steals. The younger Crawford jokes that he is faster than his dad.
Big time speed with excellent defense, solid barrel control and a projectable frame are what make this the right pick for the Phillies.
Not to be forgotten is the family ties with former Phillies shortstop J.P. Crawford, another first round selection of the organization (16th overall, 2013). J.P., who was traded by the Phillies to Seattle in a deal that brought Jean Segura to Philadelphia, is a cousin to Carl.
The Phils do not have a second round pick in this year's draft, as they lost that with the signing of Nick Castellanos prior to the 2022 season. They'll select again with the 93rd overall pick in the third round.
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