Phillies top prospect J.P. Crawford out 4-6 weeks with oblique strain
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop J.P. Crawford will likely begin his minor league season on the disabled list after suffering a strained left oblique which will keep him out four-to-six weeks.
Crawford, 20, was expected to open the year at Double-A Reading after hitting 11 homers with 24 steals and a .781 OPS between two levels last season. Baseball America ranks Crawford the top prospect in the Phillies organization and the 14th-best in all of baseball.
The slick-fielding infielder is biding his time in the minors, awaiting his eventual promotion to the big leagues to replace former franchise shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Crawford, the 16th overall pick in the 2013 draft, admitted earlier this month that the Rollins trade created a clearer path for his career.
"Whenever it happens, it's going to happen," he told Philly.com. "I'm not trying to rush it or try to do anything different."