Who is Justin Crawford?

July 18th, 2022

Two sons of former MLB All-Stars -- Jackson Holliday and Druw Jones – were the first two selections of the 2022 MLB Draft, but there's another first-rounder with an All-Star father as well. Here's what you need to know about Justin Crawford, MLB Pipeline's No. 13 Draft Prospect.

FAST FACTS
Primary position: OF
Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 175 lbs
Bats/throws: Left/right
Birthdate: Jan. 13, 2004 (Age 18 on Draft Day)
High school: Bishop Gorman (Nev.)
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev.
College commitment: Louisiana State

Like father ...

Justin Crawford said in June that he felt a lot pressure while growing up to be an exact replica of who his father, four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, was on the field.

"You can ask my mom -- I would try to hit like him, I would try to just do everything exactly like him," Justin said on MLB Central.

As he's matured, Justin has let go of that pressure and focused on being his own man on the diamond. However, Justin is a left-handed hitter who makes a lot of contact, is a plus defender in the outfield and possesses elite speed. Sound familiar?

"Even though I have broken out of that, kind of not trying to be like him, it's kind of ended up that our games are actually very similar in a way," Justin said. "I'd say we're both really good, elite hitters that can run, that can really change the game on both sides of the ball with our speed. I think it's just really kind of funny like that, how our games both ended up just being really, really similar."

Old-school style

Crawford hit just six homers over his final 60 games at Bishop Gorman High School, but he stole 25 bases with his 70-grade speed, batted .500 through 216 at-bats and struck out only 13 times. He offers a skill set not seen too often in today's game, which has become more populated by swing-and-and-miss sluggers. The teenager said he's looking forward to showcasing a playing style that was much more in vogue in the Majors decades before his birth.

"Kind of bringing the speed back to the game, it makes the game a little more exciting, I think. It's nice ... to kind of almost go back to that old-school baseball and bring it back to the game."

The next in line

Crawford will likely become the highest-drafted player from Bishop Gorman when the Draft begins July 17. That's no small feat considering the talent that has come out of the private school in Los Vegas. Its list of famous baseball alumni includes 1995 AL Rookie of the Year , current Top 100 prospect Austin Wells, Mariners relief pitcher  and Yankees outfielder , who is currently the school's highest-drafted player at No. 39 overall in 2012.

Favorite players

Given Crawford's style, it makes sense that he mentions Nationals speedster  as one of his favorite players to watch. Mariners shortstop and second cousin  is also on his must-watch list. But who's at the top?

"Right now, I'd probably have to say . I love the way he is on the field and off the field. I just think he is an all-around genuine, good person."

A second career?

Crawford has always been around and loved baseball. He can recall throwing out the first pitch of a Rays game at Tropicana Field when he was just 4 years old. A long career in the sport seems to be ordained for the highly skilled son of a former MLB star.

But the game isn't Crawford's only professional interest. He said in 2018 that he has "always wanted" to be a veterinarian.

"I love animals, I love pets. I just feel like if I could save pets and help them out, I would love to do that."