ALERT ALERT J.P. Crawford to join Phillies in New York

On the heels of a real bad loss, something has happened.

It was noted following today’s 11-7 loss to the Mets that Crawford’s presumed September promotion would be pushed back due to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs managing to snort their way into the playoffs.

That’s, uh. Not the case.

Crawford’s season slash line of .242/.350/.399 with 14 HR, 20 doubles, 6 triples, 78 BB, and 97 SO in 471 AB is hardly the line of a top prospect, which has pretty much dictated his narrative all season long, following a first half in which he hit .145, .253, and .200 in April, May, and June, respectively. His rank among the Phillies’ top prospects fell and his frustrations continued to mount.

“Is J.P. Crawford good enough?”

“Is the Phillies’ top prospect a bust?”

“Is he no longer an ‘impact player’?”

“Who is the future at SS if not Crawford?”

“Can I hate him yet?”

These sorts of thoughts ran wild as Crawford entered the All-Star break, and uttered a single, ominous tweet.

Since then, Crawford has spit into his hands and crawled all the way back, hitting eight home runs in July and popping his OPS to a nice, bulbous 1.025 for the month. He then started August with an inside-the-park grand slam, including a trick slide, and saw similar success at the plate, hitting a much less worrisome .277 and helping the IronPigs somehow sneak into the International League playoffs after completing a four-game sweep earlier this afternoon.

Instead of joining them, Crawford will be with the last place big club as they sweat and cry through the rest of 2017. Congratulations, J.P.!!