BOSTON — Upon his arrival at Fenway Park on Tuesday, Justin Crawford quickly took off his shoes, donned his headphones, and made his way to the outfield. He described this as part of his pre-game routine, a means to foster positivity and remain present in the moment.
As he strolled past the imposing Green Monster and red seats, it signified more than just living in the present. It was a trip down memory lane to when Crawford was 7 and 8, trailing his father, former major leaguer Carl Crawford, around Fenway. Recalling the miniature Red Sox uniform he once wore and the joy of shagging balls on the field with his dad, Crawford emphasized that those experiences cemented his passion for professional baseball. “That’s when it hit me,” he reflected as he walked to center field. “Little Justin would be screaming right now (if he knew).”
Now, at 22 years old, Crawford wore a smile while engaging in practice and fielding questions about his Fenway memories. The park, functioning as a living museum, served as a reminder of his childhood, while also grounding him in the present as he embarks on his big-league career with the Phillies, having played 37 games so far.
This season, Crawford’s offensive performance has largely aligned with expectations. He has produced many infield singles but has struggled with power, ranking 20th in the majors for BABIP (batting average on balls in play). He’s attempted to steal bases on four occasions, still learning the nuances of major-league base running. With a .056/.150/.056 batting average against lefties, Crawford claims comfort facing them overall. However, he has been solid in general, boasting a .271/.344/.390 slash line and a .734 OPS.
Defensively, though, Crawford has faced challenges. Early in the offseason, the Phillies contemplated acquiring a seasoned center fielder, but ultimately, they decided to allow Crawford to develop in that role—something he expressed a desire to do. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski stated they were aware of Crawford being an unfinished product, yet they believed he would improve.
Coaches have echoed the sentiment of Crawford’s development, with defensive statistics revealing he currently holds the lowest Defensive Runs Saved (-8) in the majors and the second-lowest Outs Above Average (-3) among center fielders. Interim manager Don Mattingly acknowledged Crawford’s youth and the need for patience in his growth, emphasizing the goal of honing his skills regardless of immediate numbers.
Earlier this season, Crawford expressed hesitation on shallow-hit balls he might’ve played on. The Phillies’ outfield coach, Paco Figueroa, has been addressing this issue through training, encouraging a mindset where every ball is treated as his responsibility. This focus on trust and aggressiveness is crucial for a center fielder. Despite facing a dip in performance, Crawford remained consistent in practice and noted improvements in his tactics over the last week. He recently made a catch in shallow center that boosted his confidence: “That was the feeling I’d been trying to feel,” he said, stressing the importance of self-trust.
Crawford’s journey at Fenway has gone full circle. Although he has had numerous first experiences recently, one small milestone was signing the Green Monster, a spot he had never visited despite his childhood visits. He marveled at the signatures on the walls, added his own, and then returned to the field ready to continue his work.
