Bryson Stott first encountered Justin Crawford shortly after Crawford was drafted by the Phillies with the 17th overall pick in the 2022 draft. Stott playfully referred to him as “my bat” due to Crawford’s slender 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame.
However, Crawford’s physique has undergone a transformation since then. Determined to add muscle during the offseason, he arrived at camp this week weighing 191 pounds.
Stott, who holds the position of starting second baseman for the Phillies, has witnessed Crawford’s dedication firsthand. Both hailing from Las Vegas, they spend their offseasons in the same locale and embarked on a regimen of joint training sessions this winter.
Crawford had previously trained with Stott at UNLV in 2022 and found it highly beneficial, even after just a single day.
Considering the potential gains from a few weeks of joint training, Crawford contemplated the extent of his learning. Reflecting on their initial workout, Crawford expressed a desire to foster a closer bond with Stott, recognizing him as a future teammate. He acknowledged the opportunity to glean valuable insights and improve his skills through shared batting sessions.
“I think we’re similar players. Contact-first type players. And I think how he sees pitches is definitely something I could get better at. So, sitting there and seeing the way he carries himself, his routine, the way he really handles his business, is something I tried to absorb.”
From mid-January to early February, Stott and Crawford maintained a daily routine of hitting together for one to two hours. Their training sessions took place at a local batting cage in Henderson, Nev., where they received guidance from Stott’s hitting coach, Jeremy Lidke.
Having observed Crawford’s skills prior to his draft selection, both Lidke and Stott possessed pre-existing familiarity with his abilities. Additionally, Stott benefited from insights provided by a friend who coaches at Bishop Gorman High School, where Crawford had previously played.
“He could take his D swing and beat out a ball, because he was that fast, and their arms weren’t as good,” Stott said. “Which is all good, I mean, he went in the first round. So, he wasn’t doing that every time.
“But he is way stronger now, and his swing looks way better. He’s definitely more direct to the ball, and he hits it square more often. He looks really good. I’m excited for him.”
Crawford, who turned 20 last month, is coming off his first full minor league season. He began his year at low-A Clearwater, where he was .344/.399/.478 in 69 games, and finished it at high-A Jersey Shore, where he hit .288/.366/.425 in 18 games. He combined for three home runs all year — with a system-high ground-ball rate of 69.7%.
The Phillies are optimistic that Crawford’s power will develop over time, a sentiment shared by Crawford himself, who sees the added weight as a potential aid. After three weeks of joint training, Stott observed a noticeable change in Crawford’s physique.
“He’s been really dedicated in the weight room, recognizing its significance. However, his game is built around his speed—he’s aiming to steal 60 bases and hustle infield choppers,” noted Stott.
“So, it’s about striking a balance between gaining weight for strength while preserving his agility and speed.”
“Sometimes you have to be loose because it’s a long season,” he said. “And there are ups and downs. I love how easygoing he is. I think at times I can be almost — I don’t want to say too serious, because that’s kind of who I am — but I definitely need to take a step back and relax.”
This is easier said than done for a player who is trying to be the best version of himself. But he is going to try. Maybe this summer, the Phillies will draft another tall, lanky prospect, and Crawford can give him a nickname of his own, to stay loose, but also to send a message to a young kid, with a promising future, that he belongs.