With the Trade Deadline arriving at the end of the month, there is no better time to be clued into the world of prospects, and that’s why we’re putting it center stage again.
The MLB Pipeline Prospect Showcase arrives in Allentown, Pa., on Tuesday for a matchup between the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Triple-A affiliate of the Phillies) and Norfolk Tides (Orioles). First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. ET, and the contest will be broadcast live on MLB Network and streamed for free on MLB.TV, MiLB.TV, MLB.com and the MLB and MiLB apps. Mike Zambelli, Steve Degler, Doug Heater and MLB Pipeline’s Sam Dykstra will be on the call.
Keep a close eye on Lehigh Valley outfielder Justin Crawford -- No. 46 on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list -- as he puts his above-average hit tool and near-top-of-the-scale speed on display.
More from MLB Pipeline:
• Top 100 prospects | Stats | Video | Podcast | Complete coverage
The 21-year-old, who is the son of former Rays star Carl Crawford, ranks third in the International League in both average (.325) and steals (29) through 76 games. His .318 career average is fourth-best among all Minor Leaguers with at least 1,000 plate appearances since 2022, when he was taken 17th overall by the Phils. The younger Crawford puts the ball on the ground a lot --- his 61.8 percent groundball rate leads Triple-A qualifiers --- but his combination of exit velocities and wheels help him overcome the constant wormburners.
The IronPigs also boast two Top 100 pitchers in Andrew Painter (No. 9) and Mick Abel (No. 84). Abel started Saturday night at home against Rochester. Painter last pitched on July 13, a reason why he did not participate in last weekend’s All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta, and is slated to next take the mound on Thursday. Lehigh Valley lists veteran right-hander Nabil Crismatt as its probable pitcher for Tuesday. Right-hander Thaddeus Ward is slated to start for Norfolk after making a one-inning appearance Friday.
Dylan Beavers (Baltimore's No. 5 prospect) has been a big bat for Norfolk. The 23-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has put up a .306/.404/.485 slash line with 11 homers and 20 steals through 74 games with the club. Standing 6-foot-5, Beavers draws his best grades for his speed and arm strength, and he's shown a nice balance of loud contact and discipline in his first elongated look at Triple-A.
No. 9 overall prospect Samuel Basallo is likely to miss out on Tuesday's Showcase as he continues to deal with right oblique discomfort that held him out of games over the weekend.
However, Norfolk won't lack for an exciting catcher despite Basallo's absence. All-Star backstop Adley Rutschman is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A on Tuesday, per MLB.com’s Jake Rill. The 2019 No. 1 overall pick has been out since June 19 due to a left oblique strain. Ryan Mountcastle (right hamstring strain) is also slated to begin a rehab assignment that day.
The Phillies entered Monday with a 56-43 record, putting them half a game ahead of the Mets in the NL East. Under the direction of president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, the club is often active around the Trade Deadline, and such moves either involve prospects or open avenues for top-level prospects to contribute to the stretch run. With a 44-54 record, the Orioles, amid a disappointing 2025, could be more in a place to sell and add to their prospect depth before July is out.