Crawford Debut Will Have To Wait; Angels Going International

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.—J.P. Crawford might be the Phillies’ shortstop of the future, but the organization’s top prospect won’t be their shortstop of the present when the 2017 season opens.

Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said at the General Manager meetings on Tuesday that Crawford will begin 2017 back at Triple-A, where the 21-year-old finished 2016.

“He will start the year in Triple-A and his performance will dictate his timeline from there,” Klentak said. “Obviously J.P. has a unique ability to control the strike zone, which is something offensively we’re very proud of and happy about. His defense is really coming along and we really expect him to be a plus defender at shortstop. He had half a year at Triple-A and had to make some adjustments and we’re hopeful that as he begins the year there this year he’ll get off to a hot start and then we’ll see how the season is playing out.”

Crawford, ranked the No. 3 prospect in the game at midseason, hit .250/.339/.349 combined at Double-A and Triple-A in 2016.

Klentak noted he and other prospects will have a clear path to the majors once they earn it.

“Our offseason focus is on trying to make the 2017 Phillies better than the 2016 Phillies, but we have to do so while not blocking the development of our kids,” Klentak said. “Some of the players that are in the big leagues that are young need to continue to get their at-bats and their reps and their innings. The Triple-A players, when they’re ready to make the step forward to the big leagues, we want to make sure they have a clear path to playing time at the big league level. That’s the offseason focus for us, making sure we are indeed improving our club but also making sure in the bigger picture we’re doing the right thing for our prospects.”

ANGELS LOOK INTERNATIONAL

The Angels have been exceptionally quiet on the international signing front in recent years, but general manager Billy Eppler said that is about to change.

“We’ll end up spending everything that we’re given to spend and go beyond what we’re given to spend (internationally), up to the point of forfeiting future opportunity,” Eppler said.

The Angels were once one of the top teams when it came to acquiring talent on international market, with international signees Francisco Rodriguez, Ervin Santana, Bengie Molina, Kendrys Morales, Erick Aybar and Ramon Ortiz forming a core during their run of success in from 2002-2009.

In recent years they’ve gone away from investing heavily in international amateurs, but Eppler said the Angels have beefed up their international scouting staff in anticipation of returning to being a strong player on the international market.

“We’ve supplemented that department already with some hires this winter (and) potentially open to adding personnel to that department,” he said. “We’ll continue to be aggressive.”

TEBOW STICKING AROUND

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said the Mets would not cut Tim Tebow despite his .146 batting average in the Arizona Fall League. He added Tebow will be a part of Mets spring training and he expects Tebow to be assigned to a minor league affiliate next spring.

“We’re not sure (what level) yet, but it’d probably be better if he can compete in a full-season situation,” Alderson said. “We’ll see what happens. Decision on assignments is made late in spring training, and that will be true for him as well.”

Alderson added Tebow will not be put on the Mets’ 40-man roster.