Outfielder Justin Crawford and right-handed pitcher Eiberson Castellano had been chosen as the recipients of the 2024 Paul Owens Award, introduced yearly to the Phillies’ prime minor league participant and pitcher.
The 20-year-old Crawford started the season with high-A Jersey Shore earlier than being promoted to double-A Reading on July 12. He slashed .313/.360/.444 (.804 OPS), going 143-for-457 with 25 doubles, 4 triples, 9 dwelling runs, 61 RBI, 32 walks, 42 stolen bases and 79 runs scored in 110 complete video games with each groups. In between his final recreation with the BlueClaws and his first recreation with the Fightin Phils, the left-handed batter went 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, he ranked first in the Eastern League in batting common (.333), tied for second in hits (55) and stolen bases (15), tied for third in doubles (11), fifth in OPS (.835), sixth in slugging share (.455), tied for seventh in complete bases (75), eighth in on-base share (.380) and tied for eighth in RBI (26). Crawford, who led all Phillies minor leaguers in hits, is presently ranked as the No. 3 prospect in Philadelphia’s farm system and the No. 54 prospect in all of baseball by MLB.com. Defensively, the Phoenix native appeared in 93 video games in heart subject and posted a .995 fielding share in 193 complete probabilities. The son of former main league All-Star Carl Crawford, he entered the season as the greatest hitter for common, greatest athlete and greatest defensive outfielder in the Phillies system, in keeping with Baseball America. Crawford was chosen by Philadelphia in the first spherical (17th general) of the 2022 MLB Draft and was signed by Zach Friedman.
Castellano, 23, went 6-5 with a 3.99 ERA (46 ER, 103.2 IP) and a 1.14 WHIP throughout 22 appearances (20 begins) with Jersey Shore and Reading this season. He recorded 136 strikeouts to 29 walks (4.69 SO/BB ratio) and held opposing hitters to a .229 (89-389) batting common. Castellano, who led all Phillies minor league pitchers in strikeouts, struck out 11.81 batters per 9.0 innings pitched and had a 31.3 (136-434) % strikeout fee in comparison with a 6.7 (29-434) % stroll fee. The Venezuela native restricted right-handed hitters to a .197/.273/.293 (.566 OPS) slash line in 232 plate appearances and recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts on May 31 towards Brooklyn. From his first outing with the Fightin Phils on July 21 by means of the finish 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 common (.211). The Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month in July, Castellano posted back-to-back double-digit strikeout video games from Aug. 18-25 for the first time in his profession. The right-hander signed with the Phillies as an beginner free agent on July 2, 2018, and was signed by Rafael Álvarez and Rómulo Oliveros.
“Justin’s season statistics speak for themselves,” stated Preston Mattingly, Phillies assistant common supervisor, participant improvement. “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.”
Added Mattingly: “Eiberson’s successful 2024 season was set up by an impactful offseason. 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 known as for the late Paul Owens, who spent 48 years in the Phillies group as a scout, farm director, common supervisor, supervisor and senior advisor. The gamers will obtain their awards on the subject on Wednesday, Sept. 25, previous to the Phillies’ 6:05 p.m. recreation towards the Chicago Cubs.
