UNFINISHED: J.P. Crawford
J.P. Crawford: “I Want To Win a Gold Glove”
One of J.P. Crawford’s goals for 2020 and beyond is simple — and bold.
“I want to win a Gold Glove,” he said.
“I can do it,” he continued. “I know I can do it. So that’s going to be one of my main goals.”
When the conversation turns to Crawford and his defense, a lot of attention is paid to The Throw — and rightfully so.
Peel back the layers and you’ll see that Crawford played very good defense at shortstop over the second half of last season. His skill in the field isn’t limited to a brilliant play here and there. Over the last three-plus months of the 2019 season, he posted the 2nd-best fielding percentage among American League shortstops. From June 26 through the end of the regular season, Crawford’s .982 fielding percentage trailed Didi Gregorius by one one-thousandth of a point (.983).
“The consistency of making the routine plays and even making some of the hard ones — that comes from the reps we take every day, and working hard every day,” Crawford said.
He committed 7 errors across his first 28 games with the Mariners last season, but made only 5 errors over his last 65 games.
OK — let’s get back to The Throw. When the Mariners and Tigers met for the 2nd of a 4-game set on July 26 at T-Mobile Park, Crawford had been playing error-free shortstop for a month. His diligent pre-game work with renowned infield coach Perry Hill was showing up under the lights. But this — this was something else.
With 2 outs in the 9th inning of a 2–2 ballgame at T-Mobile Park, the Tigers Jeimer Candelario smoked a 100 mile-per-hour, one-hop rocket into the hole between Crawford and Gold Glove third baseman Kyle Seager. Crawford dove and gloved the ball, his momentum carrying him two steps into shallow left field. With only enough time to plant his right foot and heave the ball toward first base, Crawford got off a strong throw with barely a glance toward first baseman Austin Nola. Candelario was out by a half-step.
“That’s probably the best play I’ve made in my entire life,” Crawford said.
“That was about as good a play as you’re ever going to see by a shortstop,” Mariners Manager Scott Servais said.
“That’s one of the better plays you’ll see. I haven’t seen something like that in a long, long time,” Tigers Manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters.
After being acquired from the Phillies in a December 2018 trade, Crawford reported to the Mariners Spring Training facility in January. He spent three days then working on his defense with Hill. The 24-year-old Crawford started the 2019 season in Triple-A Tacoma before joining the Mariners on May 10 in Boston, and his work with Hill resumed.
“It was a huge year for J.P. and his development,” Servais said. “When we got him in the trade, we knew he was a key piece for what we were trying to build here. He had a lot of work to do defensively. I really credit Perry Hill for the hard work that he put in starting at Spring Training.”
Crawford recorded 1.3 Fangraphs WAR in only 93 games this season. Only two American League shortstops posted a better fWAR while appearing in fewer than 100 games: Houston’s Carlos Correa (3.2) and Toronto’s Bo Bichette (1.7).
After returning from a sprained left ankle that sidelined him for 15 games in early June, Crawford went on a tear. He hit .338 with 9 extra-base hits, 17 RBI, 9 walks and a .983 OPS (.413 OBP/.569 SLG) in 16 games over the remainder of June. His .338 average was 8th-best in the American League in June, while his .413 on-base mark ranked 10th in the AL. Crawford’s torrid June was highlighted by a 4-hit, 4-game day in a 13–3 win over Baltimore on June 23.
“There’s a lot to look forward to with J.P,” Servais said. “It’s a big offseason for him. I think he’s realizing from playing every day, he’s gotten worn down physically. The work he puts in with his strength and conditioning program is going to be really big for him. Now that he’s got his feet on the ground here, he’s going to be a big part of what we’re doing moving forward.”
His calling card is elite-level defense at shortstop, but Crawford has shown the ability to hit for extra bases. After making his Mariners debut on May 10, he led the club over the remainder of the season with 21 doubles and tied-for-2nd with 32 extra-base hits.
Crawford plans to spend a lot of time in the weight room this offseason, adding muscle to his 6-foot-2, 193-pound frame. He has a home near the Mariners Spring Training facility in Peoria, AZ, and has already been hard at work there.
“Hopefully it will make a difference in terms of staying healthy and with the power numbers, too,” Crawford said. “I need to get stronger everywhere. I think it will pay off even better next year.”
A former 1st round pick by the Phillies and a perennial top prospect, Crawford has the all of the skills to anchor the middle of the diamond for the Mariners.
“J.P. Crawford is an exceptionally talented defender,” Mariners General Manager Jerry Dipoto said. “He has shown us the ability to make tough plays…He shows an even keel. A solid offensive skillset and should be a staple for us at shortstop for the future.”
He will play the 2020 campaign at just 25 years old, having already spent the equivalent of a full season in the Majors.
“I’d love to see him play 150 games next year,” Servais said.
