Introduction
John Paul "J.P." Crawford (born January 11, 1995) is an American professional baseball shortstop in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Crawford attended Lakewood High School in Lakewood, California. The Philadelphia Phillies selected him with the 16th overall pick in the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft. He is currently assigned to the Phillies' AAA affiliate Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.
Career
Crawford attended the Major League Baseball (MLB) Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California, and participated in Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities. He then enrolled at Lakewood High School in Lakewood, California, where he played as a shortstop for the school's baseball team. He committed to attend the University of Southern California (USC) on a scholarship to play college baseball for the USC Trojans, but was expected to be a first round draft pick in the 2013 MLB Draft.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies selected Crawford with the 16th pick in the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft.
Crawford began the 2014 season with the Lakewood Blue Claws of the Class A South Atlantic League. After batting .295 with three home runs, 19 RBIs and recording 14 stolen bases in 21 attempts, the Phillies promoted him to the Clearwater Threshers of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League on June 15. Crawford appeared in the 2014 All-Star Futures Game.
Crawford missed the first four weeks of the regular season after straining an oblique muscle.
Personal
Crawford's father, Larry Crawford, is a former professional Canadian football player. His cousin, Carl Crawford, is a Major League Baseball player.