Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

A two-way standout from the University of Connecticut who hit 13 homers as a first baseman and logged 7 2/3 innings on the mound, Crawford got the scouting industry excited in his left arm when he touched triple digits over the summer while pitching for USA Baseball. The thrill was dashed in the fall when the Huskies star hurt his elbow and required Tommy John surgery, which will keep him out for all of the 2022 season.

It’s hard to know exactly what Crawford is, other than big, strong and left-handed. The strength and power definitely showed up at the plate, but the southpaw’s velocity points to a professional future on the mound once he’s healthy. While with Team USA and during a quick stop in the Cape Cod League, his fastball averaged a tick over 97 mph and touched 100, showing an ability to throw it for a strike. In his brief mound time at UConn, he hadn’t thrown much more than the heater, but he did show off a plus 84-85 mph slider that he also landed in the strike zone and missed bats with over the summer.

While many teams don’t shy away from amateur pitchers coming back from TJ surgery, the fact that Crawford has just eight official collegiate innings on his resume makes him even harder to evaluate. That said, this kind of arm strength from the left side doesn’t grow on trees.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45 

An ultimate risk/reward first-round pick, Crawford went 30th overall in 2022 thanks to his immense ceiling and despite his limited track record. Though he led the Big East Conference with 13 homers at Connecticut in 2021 and pitched just 13 2/3 innings between the Huskies, the Cape Cod League and Team USA, he was a potential No. 1 overall pick on the mound. But he hurt his elbow that October, had Tommy John surgery in November and missed the entire 2022 season. Signed for $2,297,500, he struck out 32 in 19 innings between two Class A levels last year, while losing time to mononucleosis and an oblique strain. 

Few left-handers can match Crawford's power stuff. His fastball operates at 95-97 mph and reaches 100, with his 6-foot-4 frame and athleticism creating extension that helps his heater explode on hitters. His mid-80s slider tops out at 88 mph and can be just as devastating with its two-plane depth. He began working on a mid-80s changeup with fade and sink during his Tommy John rehab and while he's still learning to throw it for strikes, opponents managed a .000 OPS against the 43 cambios he threw in 2023. 

Crawford is more physical and athletic than most pitchers, leading to hope that he'll develop average control as he gets more experience. While he offers upside as a potential frontline starter, he pitched just 39 1/3 innings in game action (including summer ball) in the last four years and has been slowed by a lat strain and a tired arm in 2024. San Francisco may be tempted to expedite him to the Majors as a high-leverage reliever, but he lasted just six weeks pitching one or two innings every three or four days before getting shut down in early June. He does have at least plus raw power as a lefty-hitting first baseman but after getting sporadic at-bats in his first two pro seasons and in the Arizona Fall League, he's going to focus almost entirely on pitching this season.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 50 

No player in the 2022 Draft could match Crawford's combination of lofty ceiling and limited track record. He topped the Big East Conference with 13 homers in 2021 but scouts liked him more as a pitcher. He totaled just 13 2/3 innings between Connecticut, Team USA and the Cape Cod League, striking out 30 of the 56 batters he faced. A potential No. 1 overall pick before he hurt his elbow that October and missed all of 2022 following Tommy John surgery, he still went 30th overall and signed for a slightly under-slot $2,297,500. 

Few left-handers can match Crawford's pair of power pitches, beginning with a 95-97 mph fastball that hits 100 with high spin rates and tremendous carry up in the strike zone. He also can overwhelm hitters with a mid-80s slider that peaks at 88 mph and features impressive depth. He's more physical and athletic than most pitchers and has thrown strikes during his limited experience on the mound. 

Because he has worked just 20 1/3 innings (counting summer ball) in three years of college and is coming back from elbow reconstruction, the Giants will handle him carefully in his 2023 pro pitching debut and just focus on getting him some reps and keeping him healthy. They'll worry about developing his changeup, refining his command and building up his workload in the future. He also offers at least plus raw power as a lefty-hitting first baseman and will continue to get some sporadic at-bats after going 3-for-19 in Rookie ball last summer, though his future definitely is on the mound. 

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50 

Crawford led the Big East Conference with 13 homers in 2021 but excited scouts much more on the mound despite just pitching 13 2/3 innings between Connecticut, Team USA and the Cape Cod League. He struck out 30 of the 56 batters he faced and looked like a potential No. 1 overall pick but hurt his elbow last October and missed the entire 2022 season following Tommy John surgery. Looking to swing for the fences with their lowest top Draft pick (30th overall) since 2016, the Giants gambled on his upside and signed him for a slightly under-slot $2,297,500. 

Few left-handers have a fastball like Crawford's, which sits at 95-97 mph and peaks at 100 with high spin rates and plenty of carry up in the strike zone. He also can overmatch hitters with a mid-80s slider that tops out at 88 mph and flashes impressive depth. Physical and athletic, he has thrown strikes in his limited time on the mound. 

Crawford comes with a huge ceiling and a lot of unknowns after totaling 20 1/3 innings (including summer ball) in three years of college. He generates his power stuff with relative ease, but he still has to develop an offspeed pitch, refine his command and prove he can hold up on the mound. He also has at least plus raw power as a lefty-hitting first baseman, and San Francisco plans on letting him hit in pro ball until he's ready to pitch again.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/24/2024	Sacramento River Cats activated LHP Reggie Crawford from the 7-day injured list.
	06/13/2024	Sacramento River Cats placed 1B Reggie Crawford on the 7-day injured list.
	05/14/2024	1B Reggie Crawford assigned to Sacramento River Cats from Richmond Flying Squirrels.
	04/16/2024	1B Reggie Crawford assigned to Richmond Flying Squirrels from Giants Organization.
	04/02/2024	1B Reggie Crawford assigned to Giants Organization from Eugene Emeralds.
	02/08/2024	San Francisco Giants invited non-roster 1B Reggie Crawford to spring training.
	09/22/2023	Scottsdale Scorpions activated 1B Reggie Crawford.
	07/14/2023	1B Reggie Crawford assigned to Eugene Emeralds from San Jose Giants.
	07/14/2023	Eugene Emeralds activated 1B Reggie Crawford.
	07/14/2023	Eugene Emeralds activated 1B Reggie Crawford.
	05/23/2023	1B Reggie Crawford assigned to San Jose Giants from ACL Giants Black.
	08/15/2022	TWP Reggie Crawford assigned to ACL Giants Black.
	07/28/2022	San Francisco Giants signed TWP Reggie Crawford.
	06/11/2022	TWP Reggie Crawford and assigned to College Workout.
	02/10/2020	LHP Reggie Crawford assigned to Connecticut Huskies.