Outfielder Justin Crawford and right-handed pitcher Eiberson Castellano are the 2024 Paul Owens Award winners as the Phillies’ top minor league player and pitcher, respectively.
The 20-year-old Crawford began the season with high-A Jersey Shore before being promoted to Double-A Reading on July 12. The organization’s No. 3 prospect according to MLB.com slashed .313/.360/.444 (.804 OPS) with 25 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, 61 RBI, 32 walks, 42 stolen bases and 79 runs scored in a combined 110 games.
Crawford also was 1-for-3 as the leadoff hitter for the National League in the All-Star Futures Game on July 13.
During his time with Reading, the Phillies’ first-round pick in 2022 ranked first in the Eastern League in batting average (.333), tied for second in hits (55) and stolen bases (15), tied for third in doubles (11), fifth in OPS (.835), sixth in slugging percentage (.455), tied for seventh in total bases (75), eighth in on-base percentage (.380) and tied for eighth in RBI (26).
“Justin’s season statistics speak for themselves,” said Preston Mattingly, Phillies assistant general manager, player development. “The respect he shows to his career, our staff and the game itself – in addition to how he prepares, competes and plays on a daily basis – sets the standard for our organization. We celebrate the steps he has taken and embrace the journey ahead.”
Crawford, who led all Phillies minor leaguers in hits, is the No. 54 overall by MLB.com. Defensively, the Phoenix native appeared in 93 games in center field and posted a .995 fielding percentage in 193 total chances. The son of former major league All-Star Carl Crawford entered the season as the best hitter for average, best athlete and best defensive outfielder in the Phillies system, according to Baseball America.
Castellano was 6-5 with a 3.99 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 22 appearances (20 starts) with Jersey Shore and Reading. He struck out 136, walked 29 and held opposing hitters to a .229 (89-389) batting average.
The 23-year-old led all Phillies minor league pitchers in strikeouts, averaging 11.81 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. He had a 31.3% strikeout rate and 6.7% walk rate. The Venezuela native limited right-handed hitters to a .197/.273/.293 (.566 OPS) slash line in 232 plate appearances. He recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts on May 31 against Brooklyn.
From his first outing with the Fightin Phils on July 21 through the end of the season, he ranked first in the EL (min. 40.0 IP) in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.56), second in strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched (11.16), third in WHIP (0.99), sixth in strikeouts (50) and eighth in opponent batting average (.211). The Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month in July posted back-to-back double-digit strikeout games from Aug. 18-25 for the first time in his career. The right-hander signed with the Phillies as an amateur free agent on July 2, 2018.
“Eiberson’s successful 2024 season was set up by an impactful offseason,” Mattingly said. “His commitment to improving all areas of his game helped increase his workload across two levels. His focus on development led to an increase in his strikeout rate while significantly cutting his walk rate. We’re excited for his growth and will continue to challenge him to push the standard even higher going forward.”
Instituted in 1986, the award is named for the late Paul Owens, who spent 48 years in the Phillies organization as a scout, farm director, general manager, manager and senior advisor. The players will receive their awards at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday to the Phillies’ 6:05 p.m. game against the Cubs.
More honors
First baseman Carson Taylor and outfield Gabe Rincones were named to MiLB’s Eastern League all-star team.
Taylor, who finished 2024 with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, slashed .277/.389/.465/.854 with 16 home runs and 75 RBIs with Reading. He batted .316 with four runs and six walks in six games with the IronPigs.
Rincones, who missed more than 70 games because of injury, .263/357/.487/.843 with 11 homers, 29 RBIs and 20 stolen bases in 59 games with Reading.
Morning Call senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at 610-820-6651 or at [email protected]
