Crawford, Wathan Heading to 2015 All-Star Futures Game

Fightins manager and shortstop will represent the Phillies in Cincinnati on July 12th

June 25, 2015

Reading Fightin Phils shortstop J.P. Crawford has been selected to participate in the 17th annual SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on Sunday, July 12th at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. Joining Crawford in the Queen City will be Fightin Phils manager Dusty Wathan, who has been named to the World Team coaching staff under manager Tony Perez.

Along with the duo, 2014-15 Fightins starter and top organizational pitching prospect Aaron Nola will be representing the Philadelphia Phillies in the showcase game.

Crawford will be making his second consecutive appearance on the US Team roster and is hitting .339 with two home runs, nine doubles, and 17 RBIs over 45 games between Reading and Clearwater (A+) this season.

The 20-year old came to Baseballtown on May 30th after hitting .392 in 20 games with the Clearwater Threshers (A+) this season. With the Fightins, he's hitting .298/.402/.423 through his first 24 games at the Double-A level.
Last season, Crawford received the Paul Owens Award as the best position player in the Phillies minor league system after hitting .285 with 11 home runs and 48 RBIs in 123 combined games between Lakewood (A) and Clearwater. He also recorded a .375 on-base percentage and .406 slugging percentage while leading the Phillies minor league system in walks (65). Following the season, Crawford was named the top prospect in the organization by both Baseball America and MLB.com. On Thursday, he was named the no. 4 overall prospect in the minors by ESPN baseball insider Keith Law.

Crawford was selected by the Phillies with the 16th overall pick of the 2013 draft out of Lakewood High School in California.

Over four seasons as Fightins skipper, Wathan, 41, has compiled a 241-257 record. Since taking over in 2012, Wathan has seen 23 players, including Ken Giles, Darin Ruf, David Buchanan, and Maikel Franco, go on to make their major league debut after playing in Reading. He has also overseen the development of top Phillies prospects like Nola, Kelly Dugan, and Jesse Biddle.

During his managerial career, Wathan has led Clearwater to a 140-135 record in 2010-11 and the Lakewood BlueClaws to a South Atlantic League championship in 2009. He began his career in 2008 with the short-season Williamsport Crosscutters. In seven seasons, Wathan owns a 462-452 record.

Tickets for the 2015 season at FirstEnergy Stadium are available by visiting Fightins.com, calling the Fightin Phils Ticket Office at 610-370-BALL, or by visiting the Fightin Phils Ticket Office in person at FirstEnergy Stadium. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter at @ReadingFightins and like them on Facebook via Facebook.com/Fightins.