Crawford, Garcia named 2014 Paul Owens Award winners
Shortstop J.P. Crawford and right-hander Luis Garcia have been named the recipients of the 2014 Paul Owens Awards as the best player and pitcher, respectively, in the Phillies minor league system, Joe Jordan, Director, Player Development announced today.
Crawford, 19, hit .285 with 23 doubles, 11 home runs, 48 RBI, 69 runs scored and 24 stolen bases in 123 games this season split between low-A Lakewood and single-A Clearwater. A native of Lakewood, Calif., Crawford batted .289 over his final 57 games as one of the youngest players in the Florida State League.
Selected to the United States roster in this year's Futures Game, Crawford went 1-for-2 with a run scored as the youngest position player on either team. Crawford is the second-youngest position player to ever receive the Paul Owens Award. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins was 18 when he was honored in 1997. Selected 16th overall in the first round of the June 2013 draft, Crawford was signed by Demerius Pittman.
"J.P.'s first full season as a professional was a huge success," said Jordan. "He is a very determined and competitive player, a good teammate and makes players around him better. The Phillies are extremely excited to watch his continued progress in 2015."
Garcia, 27, went 2-1 with a 0.96 ERA in 39 games for triple-A Lehigh Valley this season. A native of Santo Domingo, DR, Garcia converted 22 of his 25 save opportunities and tied for the International League lead in saves. Garcia has appeared in 30 games for the Phillies over the last two seasons after being signed by the club as a minor league free agent on March 21, 2013.
"Luis was by far the most consistent pitcher in the Phillies minor league system in 2014," said Jordan. "To dominate upper-level hitters in the fashion he was able to was remarkable. Luis grew as a pitcher this season which will certainly lead to future major league success."
Instituted in 1986, the award is named for the late Paul Owens, who spent 48 years in the Phillies organization as scout, farm director, general manager, manager and senior advisor. The awards will be presented on the field on Friday, September 12, prior to the Phillies' 7:05 game against the Miami Marlins.