The Mariners announced tonight that they’ve optioned shortstop J.P. Crawford to Triple-A Tacoma. While the move isn’t entirely unexpected after Seattle signed Tim Beckham as a stopgap at shortstop this winter, it’s still of some note. Crawford will eventually receive the opportunity to prove that he can be the Mariners’ shortstop of the future, though the former first-round pick and highly touted prospect has yet to establish himself at the MLB level (hence the Phillies’ willingness to move him as part of the Jean Segura trade).
Crawford came to the Mariners with a year and 20 days of big league service time, meaning he’ll need to accrue 152 days of service in 2019 to reach the two-year plateau. As it stands, the Mariners control him through the end of the 2023 season, although if he remains in the minors for five weeks, the Mariners would control him through the end of the 2024 campaign.
The extent to which that’ll be a factor in determining his timeline to Seattle remains to be seen, but that seems like a distinct possibility given the signing of Beckham and Crawford’s generally tepid output in an injury-shortened 2018 season. Crawford was slowed last season first by a forearm strain and later by a fractured hand, limiting him to just 123 plate appearances in the minors and 138 PAs in the Majors. In his time with the Phillies last year, the now-24-year-old Crawford mustered only a .214/.319/.393 batting line.
Clearly, the lack of big league production to this point in his career hasn’t dissuaded the Mariners from buying into Crawford’s potential, but it was clear at the time the organization signed Beckham that Crawford would have to force his way up to the big league roster, and that’s yet to transpire. Beckham signed a modest one-year, $1.75MM salary and is coming off an ugly .230/.287/.374 showing in the big leagues last season himself, and he’s capable of moving around the infield if and when the organization feels Crawford merits a look. At that point, Beckham won’t stand in the way of Crawford’s arrival. For the time being, however, Beckham will team with Ryon Healy on the left side of the Seattle infield following the recent injury to Kyle Seager.
This isn’t “maddening”?
You can disagree with my wording all you like — no plans to change it — but there’s clearly no real comparison between Crawford and Jimenez. You’re talking a guy who was limited to fewer than 300 PAs by injuries in ’18 (and struggled badly) and has already had multiple shots in the Majors vs. a clearly-MLB-ready player who is being held down (wisely, by the White Sox) because of an antiquated system that encourages teams NOT to put their best players on the field once they’re ready.
It’s a backwards line of thinking that does a disservice to the fans, players and the executives who have to try to keep a straight face while they outwardly lie to their fan base.
Sorry, I just don’t see it as “maddening”. “Disappointing”? “Distressing”? “Unfortunate”? but not “maddening”
Disservice to the fans? How so? They miss the player for 15 games early in his career… they get that player for one more season in their prime. An entire season in exchange for 15 games. Fans should enjoy it.
That’s like having Harper walk last year instead of this year. Nationals got one more year to enjoy him.
Manny would have left last year. Orioles fans would have lost one more year.
Beautifully said
That’s not the point, though. The system is broken when you have leave your MLB ready talent down 2 weeks to gain an extra year of control. MLB ready talent is putting it lightly, though in regards to Eloy. Players like Eloy need to be in a system that encourages them to be with the parent club at the beginning of the year while getting that extra year of control. It makes the fans and owners happy. I don’t really see how it can affects the player for the most part due to the service time being manipulated anyways.
What’s the alternative? A player gets drafted and they become a free agent 5 years later? 6 years? Obviously it can’t have anything to do with promotion to the majors, because that’s what we’re complaining about.
In the minors, everyone is talented hence why they in the minors. Keeping a hot shot prospect in the minors for an extra 2 weeks is a pure business move. If they dont cut it in spring training not that 2 weeks then the team loses out. Alot of prospects fail…so this industry will stretch them out.
The way the rules are it’s the only smart way to do it. I would be maddened if my team didn’t get the extra year.
Agreed.
Yawn. Your opinion on the definition and usage of Maddening really is of no value. Find something else to do.
That’s your opinion.
He sucks. He’s straight up terrible
Too short of a sample size to throw in the towel.
But how else are they gonna tell you their surface level hot takes?
Is he worse than Tim Beckham? There is a much larger sample size for Beckham. We know what he can and can’t do.
Prime of his career… .230/ .287/ .374
Negative defensive War.
*We know what he can’t and can’t do. Everything.
“Is he worse than Tim Beckham? There is a much larger sample size for Beckham. We know what he can and can’t do.
Prime of his career… .230/ .287/ .374
Negative defensive War.”
He’s not. Crawford is good defensively. It hasn’t really manifested itself in the MLB as of yet because of sporadic playing time and injuries. The one time he really struggled on D in the MLB he ended up having the arm issue. It was obvious that it affected his throwing.
As for his hitting, he’s always been a higher on base talent. He was actually really hitting his stride with the bat in the few weeks leading up to the hand fracture (from an errant fastball).
I felt they should keep Crawford. Beckham is really bad. Even if you compare spring training stats, he’s worse. Crawford is solid defensively and has good speed. He’s younger and less expensive. Stick with him.
I don’t see how signing Beckham predicted this would happen. Beckham has been a backup all but part of one season. Who was thinking they signed him to be the starter?
I guess that Tommy Pham guy won’t ever be anything either. Couldn’t do much at 25, 26, or 27, the prime of his career. Basically this and money is why so many 2nd and 3rd tier free agents aren’t getting paid much and is the main complaint. Why would I give Adam Jones ten million when he’ll settle for three, and if I miss out I get the chance to find the next Pham, Miles Mikolas (I know he’s a little different story but didn’t do well in the majors until 28-29) and have a real asset instead of an aging less effective veteran.
He does suck. Which is why I don’t get the trade the Mariners made. Segura was far better albeit more expensive.
Why do they call it a “former first round pick”? When did he stop being a first round pick?
The next year’s draft.
Not true. He’s always a first round pick for the year he was drafted. That can never be taken away from him. So I do agree, he’s not a former first round pick.
Dustin Ackley was a 2010 top prospect. By your logic, he was a top prospect for that year; can’t take that honor away from him. If he’s not a “former prospect,” then what is he? Certainly you wouldn’t say “Dustin Ackley, top prospect.”
Today should we refer to the Detroit veteran as Most Valuable Player Miguel Cabrera?
I guess the difference is that the designation of “top prospect” is subjective, while the round a player was chosen is an objective fact. Someone’s prospect status (top, blue chip, lottery ticket, non-prospect, etc etc) changes to reflect how highly regarded they are at a given time, but there’s no changing the precise round and pick a player was selected.
Well, when you have an event that takes place every year; for example, the MLB Draft, NFL Draft, NBA Draft etc. you are always going to have to refer to picks as either current or former picks.
JP Crawford certainly isn’t a current first round pick. Relative to this year’s draftees, he is a former first round pick. However, calling someone a “former first round pick” does not downplay his accomplishment whatsoever. Maybe it is just formal semantics to you, so if it helps you can refer to Crawford as a 2013 first round pick.
In general terms Crawford will always be a first round pick; however, relative to time, he can’t be a current first round pick, so he has to be a former first round pick, or a 2013 first round pick…
No, we should refer to Miggy as the TWO TIME MVP!! lol
*Former Two-Time MVP
Unless he refuse to sign, went into the next draft, and was chosen in a later round. i.e. former first round pick, now a third round pick.
I don’t think you quite understand language. If somebody is a former fireman, that doesn’t change the fact they were a fireman. A state of being is not the same as objective fact.
Former means “having previously been a particular thing.”
Crawford has previously been a first-round draft pick, therefore he’s a former first-round pick.
And the day after the World Series the Red Sox were “former” World Series Champions?
But not only was he a 1st rounder in the past, he still is a 1st rounder today, making a…. drum roll please, first round pick!
They’ll stop calling Crawford a “former first round pick” as soon as Crawford starts producing.
Johnny Superscouts and John Oxfords all in one string
Exactly. We have these idiots, and thats exactly what they are, who come here to nit pick every word in an article on a FREE website. Then you have the “Never Were” experts who love to trash on a player doing something they could not possibly do in 10 lifetimes.
Sadly, for them, life must not be that fulfilling. Wonder why? Someone just really needs to tell them their opinion really isnt that valuable.
That’s your opinion.
I guess facing reality must sting a little for you, doesnt it? Yikes.
Now, run along, and have a blessed day.
Stop nit picking.
Need some ointment? salve?
Why? Wierdo.
“mustered only a .214/.319/.393 batting line”? I mean, that’s a 90 OPS+, which is actually pretty respectable for a rookie SS. You make it sound like he was a total flop.
I saw Crawford play several times in AAA and at MLB level. I am no scout or GM but the guy is anything but a 1st round pick. I hope for the Mariners I am wrong and he turns out to be a success for them. When we were allowed freedom of speech and could post comments on team sites I would tell my fellow Phillies fans he was a bust, for years! Just like Dom Brown. Even if Segura never plays a game in Philadelphia, the Phillies made out in this deal.
When seguras attitude tanks that club house you’ll miss the kid.
Soo, I cannot tell, are you being serious or sarcastic?? lol
Okay, okay, all lame jokes aside, I have to agree with your thoughts and overall sentiment on JP Crawford as a prospect. Obviously, I am not a ML scout, but I do have experience scouting for Junior Colleges; however, throughout watching him over the past three season, I have yet to see the promise and potential in Crawford that ML scouts seem to think he allegedly possesses, or that he once possessed.
Personally, I see a very athletic, toolsy player that has yet to successfully make any adjustments to his swing, bat path, and mental approach at the advanced levels of MiLB. I see a capable, average defender, who’s athleticism allows him to handle multiple positions; however, Crawford really does not grade out as a plus defender anywhere.
To me, a top prospect is a player that should immediately help and positively impact their ML team, upon their arrival at the ML level. Over the past three seasons, there was never a time I once felt that way about JP Crawford.
These prospects get drafted high because of their projection, athleticism, and tools, then they immediately have success at the lower levels of the minors, and that unfairly, immediately puts them atop these prospects lists.
A lot of these prospects haven’t even had to make any adjustments, nor have they even regularly faced any ML caliber pitchers, yet these prospect lists unfairly label them as the games best up and coming players. All this does is set these kids up for failure, and sets up the fans of their teams for disappointment. Heck, some of these kids haven’t even played affiliated professional baseball, and they’re already ranked among the games best prospects…It is absurd, unprofessional, lazy, and really ridiculous
Then, these teenagers get to AA/AAA, and now, suddenly their facing ML caliber arms at least every other game, so they start to struggle, and then people wonder all of a sudden what’s wrong?? …Almost every single prospect goes through this process, BUT it is the true TOP PROSPECTS that are able to make the necessary adjustments…
Idk, in my opinion, there shouldn’t be any prospect lists that include any player that hasn’t reached at the very least Advanced A-ball, AA, or gone through a stint in the Arizona Fall league against tougher competition..
Tons of prospects flame out, but the main reason we see so many, so-called “tip prospects” flame out is because they’re unfairly ranking these kids WAAAY too early on in the development process!!
Great post, bravesfan88!!! When are scouts going to start grading work ethic, coachability, willingness to adapt, professional growth, maturity, etc. The game has 100’s of Crawfords and not nearly enough Larry Bowa’s, Rusty Staubs, Craig Biggio, Terry Pendletons, you know, guys that worked real hard every day that didn’t have the most ability. Too many Cespedes-like players that only bust it when it benefits themselves.
kid can’t hit. I like Dipoto, but he’ll most likely take the L on that trade.
I didn’t understand that trade. Segura is a .300 hitter with speed and some pop at a skilled position. He doesn’t strike out much and he’s in his prime.
I’m with you- Segura was one of the best SS this org has ever had, he was a huge part of our offense last year and there’s no reason why you can’t get Segura to put his differences aside and play ball. There are countless teams across the world in different sports that have teammates who don’t see eye to eye that leave that behind when they get ‘on the field.’ Personally I think all of the offseason moves were more about finance than competing in 2021. Who can say that the 2021 Mariners team is definitely going to be better than the 2021 version of our division rivals? The A’s have a farm system every bit as good as ours and the Astros have a far better farm system. IMO over the next few years the only thing that you can count on is furthering the playoff drought with years of mediocrity.
Segura had a 111 wRC+ last year. The average means almost nothing when you’re average defensively, can’t walk and have little power.
Additionally he had a bad second half only posting a 85 wRC+ and going 6/10 in stolen bases (Compared to 14/21 in the first half). He has a skillset based around speed and at 28 that will decline soon. Once that declines and it will he’ll be a bad contract which is why the Mariners had to move him. The good years overlapped with the years we aren’t contending. Regardless of your opinion of JP Crawford, Segura had to go.
Was really hoping the Phillies would give it another shot with Crawford..because Im a Braves fan…
Phillies stole Segura. I live by the Phils’ AAA stadium and have no idea what they saw in him. The played their hand perfectly with him like the Braves used to do. Hyped him up, showed just enough of him to make other teams believe he was a top prospect, and then flip him for a proven commodity. Well done.
I just looked at the Mariners roaster for the japan trip. That is a bad team, it it was 30 guys. The Astros might have players hit 30 home runs just during divisional games.
I have no idea what your 2nd sentence is supposed to mean but I agree with your sentiment It’s certainly not as good a team as our 2018 team.