Patience has been J.P. Crawford's calling card

J.P. Crawford is usually right when it comes to the strike zone, Dusty Wathan said. If Crawford thinks a strike should have been called a ball, then the manager has a hard time disagreeing with the prospect.

Wathan, who was Crawford's manager at double-A Reading until the shortstop was promoted on Friday to triple A, said he's never coached a player with a better understanding of the strike zone.

Crawford - the Phillies' No. 1 prospect - has proven to be a strong defender, fast runner, and good hitter. But it is his approach at the plate that truly sets him apart. He walked 79 times in 119 games over two seasons at double A.

The 21-year-old is now the second-youngest player in the International League, but carries the plate discipline of a major-leaguer. Crawford has more walks (190) than strikeouts (184) in his four minor-league seasons.

"He'll tell me, 'That ball was a half-inch off the plate. That ball was an inch off the plate,' " Wathan said. "And I'll go, 'I think this kid's crazy.' Then I go back and look at the video and go. 'He's right.' Most guys you say, 'Yeah, OK.' But he's right most of the time."

Wathan said Crawford's patience at the plate will only get better as he continues to propel toward the majors. Yes, he will face stiffer pitching, but Crawford will also be judged by more-experienced umpires. And let's be honest, Wathan said, the player's star status will likely lead to his getting the benefit of the doubt on borderline calls.

Plate discipline is one of the best traits to have as a young hitter, Wathan said. A minor-leaguer's walk-to-strikeout rate is a fair way to judge their ability. And the patience is almost impossible to teach.

"I'm always taking walks when they're given to me," Crawford said. "Get on base, steal second, someone gets you over, and it's a run."

Crawford starts his patient approach by watching film on the opposing pitcher. He studies their pitches and develops a plan. The biggest factor, Crawford said, is sticking to that plan. If it is early in the count, Crawford knows he can take a strike if it is not the pitch he is waiting for. His willingness to take pitches often finds Crawford ahead in the count. He rarely chases a bad pitch.

"J.P.'s always been that way since we drafted him in the first round," said Joe Jordan, the team's director of player development. "He's always had a pretty good idea of the strike zone, and I think for the most part his approach has been pretty solid. That's who he is. When he gets to the big leagues, he's going to be that type of hitter."

He walked twice on Thursday night, his final game in double A. When Crawford was mired in a 10-for-51 slump earlier this season, he was still able to reach base due to his ability to draw a walk. His slump did not alter his plan as Crawford walked 12 times in those 14 games. His .398 on-base percentage was fourth in the Eastern League among players with at least 100 plate appearances when he was promoted. It's always good to get on base, Crawford said.

"It's huge," Crawford said. "You get a chance to score some runs for the team and let some people get some RBIs. It's how you win games."

Crawford said he has always been patient, even in high school. And that patience has been consistent at each level of professional baseball since the Phillies drafted him in 2013 with the 16th overall pick. He has not struck out more times in a season than he has walked since he was 19 years old.

Friday marked a new chapter: Crawford found himself just one step away from testing his patience in the major leagues.