Justin Crawford showcases ability to put a ball in play on the ground: ‘That’s all he needs to do’

TAMPA, Fla. — Justin Crawford put the ball in play in the air once in four at-bats here Saturday.

Yet he still scored two runs and drove in one.

Consider it proof of concept for how the 22-year-old center fielder can defy his critics and be an effective major-league hitter for the Phillies even if his ground-ball rate remains unusually high.

Because Crawford had a knack for getting his bat to the ball in the minor leagues. Add in his track-star speed and he’s able to apply pressure to opposing defense by putting the ball in play, even if it’s on the ground.

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To wit: Facing New York Yankees ace lefty Max Fried, Crawford beat out a high chopper between the mound and first base in the third inning. He swiped second base on the back end of a double steal and scored on a two-out single.

Crawford led off the eighth inning by hitting a tapper to third base, where the Yankees’ Roderick Arias rushed his throw. Crawford reached on the error and scored three batters later.

“That’s all he needs to do,” said manager Rob Thomson. “He doesn’t have to do too much. Just put the ball in play because he creates so much chaos and puts so much pressure on the defense. If he just stays on those lefties, he’s going to get hits.”

Indeed, just as rookie starter Andrew Painter benefited from the experience of pitching to Baltimore Orioles slugger Pete Alonso one day earlier, Crawford learned a lesson from facing Fried, one of the best lefties in baseball.

“If he just stays on those lefties, he’s going to get his hits,” Thomson said. “He finds holes. And if infielders have to go one way or the other, it might be trouble.”

Said Crawford: “It’s another opportunity to go out there and compete and just show what I’ve got. It’s nice, I guess, to kind of see where I’m at, see how I’m feeling against [tough lefties]. I felt pretty good.”

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Crawford’s spring numbers don’t dazzle. He’s 9-for-36 (.250) with three doubles, seven strikeouts, and a .622 OPS. But he hasn’t appeared overmatched. Even in his first at-bat against Fried, when he took an unbalanced swing at a wicked sweeper, he put the ball in play on the ground and nearly beat it out.

And with nine days until the Phillies break camp, it would be shocking if Crawford doesn’t make the team — and his major-league debut on opening day March 26 at Citizens Bank Park.

“I’d be lying if I [said] I wasn’t thinking about it a little bit,” Crawford said. “But I’m trying to stay as grounded in the moment as I can. It can’t get here fast enough. I’m just trying to still get better each and every day and just build. But opening day, I can’t wait for it.”

Who stood out: Felix Reyes smashed a tiebreaking two-run homer to center field in the eighth inning of the 6-4 victory. It was the slugging infielder’s second homer of the spring. ... Veteran utilityman Dylan Moore, competing for the last spot on the bench, lined a two-out RBI single in the third inning. He’s 5-for-24 this spring. ... Playing shortstop, Edmundo Sosa got two hits and hauled in a foul pop against the tarp to end the third inning. ... Triple-A starter Bryse Wilson threw three hitless innings. ... Don Mattingly, whose Yankees No. 23 is retired outside Steinbrenner Field, brought out the lineup card.

Quotable: “Kevin [Long] and the hitting group have made some adjustments with him at the plate, and he’s really taken to it. He’s got really good aptitude. And he’s a Gold Glover. He can play anywhere on the field. That creates a lot of value.” —Thomson on Moore’s chances of making the team

On deck: Taijuan Walker is scheduled to start against the Braves at 1:05 p.m. Sunday in Clearwater (NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP).