CLEARWATER, Fla. – J.P. Crawford boarded a flight on Tuesday for his fifth spring training. He had spent the last two Februarys in major-league camp like a he was on a field trip, knowing he was just experiencing the big-leagues for a few weeks before being whisked back to the minors.
But when that plane landed this year, it was different. Crawford arrived at spring training with a job in the majors as he became the Phillies shortstop in December when Freddy Galvis was traded. Crawford was the team’s top prospect as he climbed through the minor leagues.