Crawford, aged 37, is anticipated to vie for a backup infield position, likely supporting rookie shortstop Masyn Winn.
With three All-Star selections and four Gold Glove awards under his belt, Crawford has exclusively played all 13 seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the Giants, who drafted him from UCLA in the fourth round of the 2008 draft.
In 2021, when he secured his fourth Gold Glove, Crawford boasted a batting average of .298, an on-base percentage of .373, and a slugging percentage of .522, alongside 24 home runs and 90 RBIs. His performance earned him fourth place in the National League MVP award voting.
(Field Level Media contributed to this article.)
ADVERTISEMENT
Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyInterest-Based Ads
© ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
MLB Power Rankings Week 8: New NL team claims top spot
play
Bradford Doolittle and Buster Olney discuss who tops this week’s MLB Power Rankings. (2:59)
ESPN
May 23, 2024, 07:00 AM ET
Amidst the ongoing competition in the National League among three formidable teams, the Phillies have emerged as the new frontrunner in our rankings.
Further adjustments in the top five ensued as the Yankees climbed two spots to claim the third position, while the Braves dropped to fifth as they strive to establish offensive consistency.
Is Philadelphia currently the premier team in MLB? And which up-and-coming squad poses a threat to dislodging one of the top five elite clubs?
Our expert panel has collectively evaluated and ranked every team in baseball based on a blend of performances thus far and pre-season expectations for the arduous 162-game season. Additionally, ESPN MLB experts David Schoenfield, Bradford Doolittle, Jesse Rogers, Alden Gonzalez, and Jorge Castillo have provided insights for all 30 teams.
Week 7 | Preseason rankings
1. Philadelphia Phillies
Record: 36-14
Previous ranking: 2
The Ranger Suarez spectacle persists as the left-hander delivered another stellar performance by conceding just one run in seven innings with 10 strikeouts to secure victory against the Rangers on Tuesday. This extended his record to 9-0 with an impressive 1.35 ERA in his initial 10 starts. The exclusive list of pitchers since 1920 who have achieved at least nine wins in their first 10 starts with an ERA below 1.50 includes Suarez, Ubaldo Jimenez (2010), Juan Marichal (1966), and Sal Maglie (1952). Notably, Suarez has pitched 66 innings, whereas Marichal had pitched 92 innings through his first 10 starts, averaging more than nine innings per start (including a 14-inning 1-0 shutout). Nevertheless, Suarez’s performance has been remarkable, and his 10 strikeouts in the recent game equaled his career high, set in September against the Marlins. — Schoenfield
The St. Louis Cardinals have officially inked a one-year deal with veteran infielder Brandon Crawford, formerly of the San Francisco Giants, as announced on Tuesday.
