Since he was drafted by the Phillies back in 2013, J.P. Crawford has been lauded for two things: his plate discipline and his defense. Nearly every prospect evaluator says that Crawford’s defense is certainly above-average, if not borderline Gold Glove caliber.
It isn’t just those paying attention to the Phils that are noticing Crawford’s defense either. Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline talked to numerous front-office executives and scouts in the league, asking them the best defensive prospects at each position on the diamond.
Crawford wound up being the top defensive short prospect on the “All-Defense Team” with Callis saying the following:
After getting significant support when we assembled our 2016 and 2017 All-Defense Teams, he makes it this time around.