Shortstop J.P. Crawford emerging as breakout candidate as Mariners rebuild continues
This was always going to be another developmental season for the Mariners — 60 games or 162.
There will be nights — the three-game losing streak to the veteran A’s in the past week is one example — when the on-field product will look unpolished, the bullpen might sputter or the bats could go cold.
Underneath the sometimes unsatisfying win-loss results though, as Seattle moves forward with this multi-year rebuilding plan, and the youngest roster in the majors, there is reason for optimism. Some of the young pieces the Mariners believe will make them an annual contender in the years to come are emerging.
Rookie center fielder Kyle Lewis opened his first full season in the big leagues with a 10-game hitting streak. Rookie first baseman Evan White’s glove is so reliable, he seems to save the Mariners a few extra base runners each night.
Then there is J.P. Crawford, the second-year starting shortstop Seattle acquired in 2018 to be a centerpiece of its rebuild. After spending his first season with the club acclimating to playing every day at the big league level, appearing in 93 games, the Mariners have seen his confidence soar in Year 2.
“It’s exactly what you’d hope for when a young player comes into a new organization,” manager Scott Servais said when Seattle opened summer camp in July. “It takes a while to get comfortable and build trust with guys, and we’ve certainly seen that with J.P. He believes in what we’re doing here. He’s a big part of our future going forward.
“He took his offseason very seriously. He’s bigger, stronger now. I think the confidence that he’s carrying in our clubhouse, out on the field … it’s been great to see. Big year for him.”
What Crawford has put together the first week-and-a-half of games this season certainly fits the bill of a former first-round draft pick, and still only 25 years old, he’s shown why the Mariners believe he will be a staple on their roster in the seasons ahead.
Crawford’s defense has continually evolved through his two years of work with infielders coach Perry Hill, and he’s already turned in a few spectacular plays this season.
For instance, the double play he turned along with rookie second baseman Shed Long Jr. and White last weekend. When A’s catcher Sean Murphy sent a hard chopper back up the middle, Long snagged the ball and flipped it back to Crawford who was streaking toward second base.
Crawford took the handoff, stepped on the bag and leaped over a sliding Stephen Piscotty as he hurled the ball toward first. White dug out the throw as Seattle’s bench roared.
Hill is one of the coaches who not physically with the team this season due to COVID-19 concerns, but seeing the play was enough to send him into a frenzy on Twitter, where he wrote, “STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT!!!!” — the catchphrase he’s known to shout at his infielders when they complete a play so stunning he just can’t take it anymore.
“It’s a fun group to watch, it really is,” Servais said postgame that day. “It’s kind of like the old, ‘Let the kids play.’ Very athletic, they can make plays like that, and I think the more they play, the more they relax, you’ll see more of that stuff come out.”
The Mariners ranked tied for third in the majors in double plays turned with 11 entering Tuesday’s series opener against the Angels, and Crawford is often the initiator.
“J.P. right now, he wants to be in the batter’s box, he wants the ball hit to him, he wants the ball in his hands,” Servais said. “He’s kind of like the point guard out there, or the quarterback of our defense, and it’s great to see.
“That’s what you want out of your shortstop. He’s been really, really good here early in the season.”
With the bat, too. Crawford has carved out a role as a dependable leadoff hitter early on, and was slashing at .308/.438/.436 through 11 games entering Tuesday.
He was leading the Mariners in runs scored (11), walks (eight) and triples (two), and also had a double, four RBI, two stolen bases and only six strikeouts in 48 plate appearances.
“I think just my overall approach this year has been good so far,” he said recently. “I’ve just got to stay there, stay within myself and stay where I’m at right now.”
GRAVEMAN TO IL
Seattle placed starter Kendall Graveman on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a neck spasm after he dealt with discomfort during his second outing of the season Sunday against the A’s.
“I think it affected him quite a bit, quite honestly” Servais said during his daily pregame video call with reporters Monday afternoon. “It wasn’t near the crispness to his stuff, the velocity.”
Graveman, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, said after the start he’s dealt with the issue for a while, and was set to meet with doctors to seek out answers Monday. He still completed 4 2/3 innings allowing two runs on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts on 96 pitches despite the discomfort.
Graveman’s next start was scheduled for Saturday against the Rockies, meaning the Mariners will have to adjust their six-man rotation. Servais noted Monday the importance of getting Graveman back and healthy because of what he brings to the club.
“He’s been huge in our clubhouse,” Servais said. “A veteran guy that has been around, been in a couple different organizations, really believes in what we’re doing here and helps driving our messaging with young players, is really important.
“I’ll never forget, we sit down with players and we do player plan meetings in spring training. I didn’t sit in every one this year, in past years I have, but he was the one that I did want to sit in, and he came into his player plan meeting and he opened up a folder and he explained to us what he does, and things he’s learned over the years, and it was very impressive.
“You just don’t see that from players. Most guys come in and say, ‘Hey, what do you got for me?’ Not that way at all. Kendall is very prepared. He’s a real pro. … He prepares the right way, he’s a good teammate and hopefully we can get him back as soon as possible.”
Relievers Joey Gerber and Taylor Guilbeau were promoted from Seattle’s alternate training site in Tacoma in corresponding roster moves. Reliever Zac Grotz was optioned out.
SHORT HOPS
The roof at T-Mobile Park was closed ahead of Sunday’s game despite clear skies and warm summer weather. Servais said Monday this was due to player safety protocols set by Major League Baseball. Because players not actively in the game must social distance — in Seattle’s case, many sit in the stands behind the dugout — the league wants to keep them protected from the sun. “There has to be covered area for the players, we certainly have a roof, so we may we may end up closing the roof on the day games,” Servais said. “It’s hard to do when it’s a beautiful day.” … Lewis’ exciting hitting streak came to an end Monday night against the A’s when he finished 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts. He was still leading the majors in hits entering Tuesday with 17.
This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 2:15 PM.
