PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies will arrive in Clearwater in a few weeks with several roster questions still unresolved, but one of the most closely watched storylines of spring training will center on Justin Crawford and whether the organization believes he is ready to claim a spot in the club’s Opening Day outfield.
Crawford headlined the Phillies’ list of non-roster invitations to major league camp, which the club released Friday. The Phillies invited 27 players in total, including fellow recent first-round draft picks Aidan Miller and Dante Nori.
Crawford, 22, was selected 17th overall by the Phillies in the 2022 draft and enters spring training with the most direct path to a major league role among the non-roster group. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and manager Rob Thomson have spoken positively about Crawford throughout the offseason, signaling that the club intends to give him a legitimate opportunity to compete for a job.
The opening exists. With Brandon Marsh entrenched in left, and the club adding Adolis García on a one-year deal to play right, the final alignment of the outfield remains unsettled. Among the invitees to camp, Crawford is viewed internally as the candidate most capable of forcing a decision.
That opportunity, however, comes with questions. Around the game, there is some skepticism about Crawford’s defense in center field, particularly his reads and routes on fly balls. The Phillies are aware of those concerns but believe his speed and range can compensate as he continues to develop. For now, the organization does not have a clearly superior alternative and plans to give Crawford an extended look in camp, trusting that repetition at the major league level will help refine his instincts.
Crawford strengthened his case last season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he hit .334 with a .411 on-base percentage and a .452 slugging percentage over a full season. His ability to impact the game with his legs and defense, combined with consistent contact at the plate, has elevated him from long-term project to near-term option.
Miller will also draw attention this spring. The 21-year-old right-handed hitter, regarded as the Phillies’ top infield prospect, reached Triple-A late last season and made an immediate impression, posting a .333/.514/.519 line in eight games. While the sample size was small, it reinforced the sense that his development is accelerating.
Beyond individual performances, the non-roster invite list reflects the Phillies’ broader approach entering camp. Spring training will offer opportunities not only to fill out the back of the roster but also to evaluate how close the organization’s next wave may be to contributing at the major league level.
No jobs will be decided in February. But when the Phillies take the field in Clearwater, Crawford and Miller will be among those with a chance to turn a spring invitation into something more permanent.
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