Sometimes it takes players a little longer than others to find their stroke. In 2015, MLB Pipeline rated J.P. Crawford the 5th best prospect in the game. He was considered the best defensive infield blue-chipper in baseball with a 60-grade arm and even more impressive 65-fielding tool.
The defense is beginning to show its legs at the big league level. Crawford appears poised to cement himself this season as one of the better defensive shortstops in pro ball.
That being said, it’s Crawford’s bat that will need to pop if the Mariners are to lock him in as the shortstop of the future.