Drafted in the 1st round (20th overall) by the Detroit Tigers in 2013 (signed for $2,001,700).
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Most colleges recruited Crawford as an outfielder, but a Gators assistant liked his arm strength and got him to throw a bullpen during some down time at a high school showcase. Soon, Crawford had an offer to pitch for the Gators, and though he made just five appearances as a freshman, he emerged as a prospect that summer, racking up 51 strikeouts in 38 innings in the Northwoods League. He pitched his way into Florida's weekend rotation as a sophomore, tossing a no-hitter against Bethune-Cookman in regional play and earning a spot on USA Baseball's college national team last summer. The Gators and Crawford got off to slow starts this season, but scouts saw no dropoff in his stuff. He still has an electric arm with a durable, strong 6-foot-1, 205-pound frame. His fastball sits 92-96 mph at its best, and he holds that velocity deep into games. Crawford powers through a less-than-clean delivery and struggles to repeat his release point, so he fights his fastball command and doesn't consistently deliver his plus slider in the 82-84 mph range. His changeup has progressed but remains a distant third pitch. Crawford looks like a reliever to some scouts, but the paucity of college pitching makes it likely he'll go out in the first round and get an opportunity as a starter.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
When the Reds traded Alfredo Simon to the Tigers in December 2014, Crawford was considered as important a piece in the return as shortstop Eugenio Suarez. Suarez went on to produce a strong season for the Reds as a replacement for the injured Zack Cozart, ensuring himself of a place in the club's 2016 plans, while Crawford barely got on the field. Crawford was held back in extended spring training with shoulder tendinitis. Eventually he made it onto the mound for five outings in early July before being shut down again. He needed shoulder surgery, though he will be ready for spring training. Pre-injury, Crawford threw a plus 90-94 mph fastball that touched 96 with quality sink. His slider flashed plus but was inconsistent. A lot of scouts thought that Crawford's effortful delivery would eventually lead to a move to the bullpen. Now he has to prove he's healthy before he can work on improving his command and his fringy changeup.
Crawford stood out in a 2013 draft thin on college starters, pushing the Tigers to draft him at No. 20 overall and sign him for $2,001,700. The Reds landed him and shortstop Eugenio Suarez in the December Alfredo Simon trade. Crawford has a strong, athletic build and a plus fastball that sits at 90-94 mph with good sinking movement and touches 96. When he's at his best, he also shows a plus slider at 83-86 mph, but the breaking ball is the biggest wild card. When his slider is biting, he's tough to hit and has an out pitch to put hitters away. When the slider is off, it allows hitters to sit on his fastball. He flashes a changeup, but it's below-average. Crawford's short-arm delivery features effort. With his two-pitch mix, Crawford fits best as a reliever for some scouts, though if he can bring along his changeup, he has a chance to be a mid-rotation starter. He has a shot to jump to Double-A Pensacola with new club.
After being the ace of USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team in 2012, Crawford struggled to a 3-6, 3.84 mark as a junior at Florida, but in a 2013 draft thin on college starters, the Tigers picked Crawford with the 20th overall pick and signed him for $2,001,700. He was Detroit's first first-round pick since 2009. Between his fastball and his breaking ball, Crawford has two plus pitches. He throws 92-96 mph sinkers with heavy life that makes it difficult for hitters to lift, and he maintains his velocity deep into his starts. He adds and subtracts from his plus slider, cranking it up to the high 80s at times. His changeup is better than it was when he got to Florida but remains a below-average pitch. Crawford tends to fight his delivery and has trouble repeating his release point due to a wrist wrap, which causes inconsistent command. Scouts are split on whether Crawford fits best as a starter or as a two-pitch power reliever. He should head to one of Detroit's Class A affiliates in 2014.
Draft Prospects
Most colleges recruited Crawford as an outfielder, but a Gators assistant liked his arm strength and got him to throw a bullpen during some down time at a high school showcase. Soon, Crawford had an offer to pitch for the Gators, and though he made just five appearances as a freshman, he emerged as a prospect that summer, racking up 51 strikeouts in 38 innings in the Northwoods League. He pitched his way into Florida's weekend rotation as a sophomore, tossing a no-hitter against Bethune-Cookman in regional play and earning a spot on USA Baseball's college national team last summer. The Gators and Crawford got off to slow starts this season, but scouts saw no dropoff in his stuff. He still has an electric arm with a durable, strong 6-foot-1, 205-pound frame. His fastball sits 92-96 mph at its best, and he holds that velocity deep into games. Crawford powers through a less-than-clean delivery and struggles to repeat his release point, so he fights his fastball command and doesn't consistently deliver his plus slider in the 82-84 mph range. His changeup has progressed but remains a distant third pitch. Crawford looks like a reliever to some scouts, but the paucity of college pitching makes it likely he'll go out in the first round and get an opportunity as a starter.
Best Tools List
Rated Best Slider in the Detroit Tigers in 2014
Career Transactions
Charleston Dirty Birds released RHP Jonathon Crawford.
Charleston Dirty Birds signed free agent RHP Jonathon Crawford.
Staten Island Ferry Hawks released RHP Jonathon Crawford.
Staten Island Ferry Hawks placed RHP Jonathon Crawford on the temporarily inactive list.
Staten Island Ferry Hawks activated RHP Jonathon Crawford from the temporarily inactive list.
Staten Island Ferry Hawks placed RHP Jonathon Crawford on the temporarily inactive list.
Staten Island Ferry Hawks signed free agent RHP Jonathon Crawford.
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