One of the best signees of LSU’s No. 1 2022 recruiting class in center fielder [autotag]Justin Crawford[/autotag] — son of former MLB outfielder Carl Crawford — was selected with the No. 17 pick of the MLB draft on Sunday night by the Philadelphia Phillies.
He’s the second LSU player to come off the board after star third baseman Jacob Berry went to the Miami Marlins with the sixth overall picked.If he signs, Crawford would join an outfield in Philly with reigning MVP Bryce Harper.
Seven of LSU’s top-10 highest-rated draft prospects were part of the 2022 recruiting class, and Crawford was the first domino to fall.
He likely will not be the last, either, as LSU may have one or two more incoming freshmen picked tonight. Even though these kids get drafted, they still have the option to go to LSU and play for coach [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] and the Tigers. But given the slotted values for first or second-round picks, it would be very hard to turn that down.
With the 17th pick in the #MLBDraft, the Phillies have selected Justin Crawford, an 18-year-old outfielder from Bishop Gorman High School (NV). pic.twitter.com/MdbamfCV6y
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 18, 2022
Though a surprise could be in the works when it comes time to negotiate his signing bonus, Crawford is now likely heading to the minor leagues to grind it out for a while before we hopefully see him in the majors one day.
[mm-video type=video id=01g5sn82rjjs5cstkaaa playlist_id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g5sn82rjjs5cstkaaa/01g5sn82rjjs5cstkaaa-0db9a9e4189e5f7650a3df8fbb5d6a7c.jpg]
[listicle id=54809]
Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.