Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford continues to impress with ‘instinctive’ defensive plays
Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford is continuing to make an impact — quite literally — all over the field this season.
Tuesday night in San Francisco, Crawford made another spectacular defensive play while the Mariners were in the shift, underlining why he should be considered one the more elite shortstops in the majors this season.
Crawford has made these stunning plays all season, but here’s how the latest unfolded: In the shift with Giants lefty Brandon Crawford up to bat, the Mariners’ 25-year-old shortstop lined up deep in the dirt near second base.
A week grounder dribbled across the infield grass and Crawford, again showing his range, sprinted across the diamond to cut the ball off several feet left of first base, scooped it up with his glove, and quickly flipped the ball to outstretched first baseman Evan White.
Crawford, sprawled on the ground after releasing the ball, watched as White hauled in the catch for the out.
“He’s been all over the field,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said recently of his young shortstop. “We do a lot of shifting. He’s throwing from different parts of the field. The instinctive plays that J.P. makes have been fantastic. (Tuesday) night’s play is a prime example. It’s a slow roller. The second baseman is almost halfway into right field. He’s not going to get to it. Evan can’t leave the bag and get to it.
“It’s his play, and he comes and gets it with the glove flip. It’s pretty awesome to see. He’s done that a couple different times this year. Really happy with the forward step he’s taken.”
Crawford currently ranks fourth among all big league shortstops in defensive wins above replacement at 3.1, and tied for second in the majors with four defensive runs saved, per Fangraphs. His .981 fielding percentage is 11th, and his 20 double plays turned is tied for 10th.
“I know what my eye test tells me — it’s been just spectacular all year long — and then you start to see the metrics line up with that,” Servais said.
Crawford has made these defensive strides while also taking on more responsibility on offense as Seattle’s leadoff hitter. After a quick start at the plate in this abbreviated 60-game season, Crawford’s production has slowed in the second half, but he’s regrouped some in the past two weeks, slashing at .277/.393/.511 with five doubles, two homers, nine RBI, a stolen base and eight walks to six strikeouts in his past 13 games.
He was one of only three Mariners to log hits in both losses to the Giants — Ty France and Jose Marmolejos were the other two — and had a bases-clearing double in Tuesday’s game.
Crawford ranks among the top five Mariners hitters in nearly every offensive category, including hits (37), doubles (six), triples (two), RBI (15), stolen bases (five) and walks (22).
“He has not come close to reaching his ceiling offensively yet,” Servais said. “That’s how I feel watching him every day. There’s still plenty of growth there, and that’s going to continue as he gets stronger, understands his swing a little bit more. One of the reasons I love J.P. in the leadoff spot is how competitive he is.
“You often see it with the runners in scoring position, or leading off an inning late in the game where he knows he needs to get on base. You’re going to get a good at-bat. You may not always get the result you’re looking for, but the process is going to be really good, and that’s what I really appreciate is his competitiveness when he brings it there.”
PITCHING PROBABLES
Following a pair of losses against the Giants in San Francisco, the Mariners (19-24) will head to Phoenix on Friday for a three-game series against the Diamondbacks to wrap up their short road trip. Here is who is projected to pitch:
Friday — Yusei Kikuchi.
Saturday — Justus Sheffield.
Sunday — Justin Dunn.
The Mariners return home Monday for a doubleheader against the A’s, rescheduled from their postponed series last week, before hosting the Giants (two games), Padres (three) and Astros (three) in their final homestand of the season.
Marco Gonzales is projected to pitch one of the games of the doubleheader in his normal turn, but there is no scheduled pitcher for the other, which could turn into a bullpen game, Servais said.
Ljay Newsome is feeling better after taking the line drive off his pitching wrist Tuesday, Servais said, and is projected to make his next turn as scheduled when the Giants visit next week. He will resume throwing after Thursday’s off day.
“Pretty optimistic he’ll be able to make that, but it will depend on how he feels playing catch when he goes out there on Friday,” Servais said.
