Crawford and Castellano named 2024 Paul Owens Award winners
Outfielder Justin Crawford and right-handed pitcher Eiberson Castellano were selected as the recipients of the 2024 Paul Owens Award, presented annually to the Phillies’ top minor league player and pitcher.
The 20-year-old Crawford began the season with high-A Jersey Shore before being promoted to double-A Reading on July 12. He slashed .313/.360/.444 (.804 OPS), going 143-for-457 with 25 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, 61 RBI, 32 walks, 42 stolen bases and 79 runs scored in 110 total games with both teams. In between his last game with the BlueClaws and his first game with the Fightin Phils, the left-handed batter went 1-for-3 as the leadoff hitter for the National League in the All-Star Futures Game on July 13. During his time with Reading, he ranked first in the Eastern League in batting average (.333), tied for second in hits (55) and stolen bases (15), tied for third in doubles (11), fifth in OPS (.835), sixth in slugging percentage (.455), tied for seventh in total bases (75), eighth in on-base percentage (.380) and tied for eighth in RBI (26). Crawford, who led all Phillies minor leaguers in hits, is currently ranked as the No. 3 prospect in Philadelphia’s farm system and the No. 54 prospect in all of baseball by MLB.com. Defensively, the Phoenix native appeared in 93 games in center field and posted a .995 fielding percentage in 193 total chances. The son of former major league All-Star Carl Crawford, he entered the season as the best hitter for average, best athlete and best defensive outfielder in the Phillies system, according to Baseball America. Crawford was selected by Philadelphia in the first round (17th overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft and was signed by Zach Friedman.
Castellano, 23, went 6-5 with a 3.99 ERA (46 ER, 103.2 IP) and a 1.14 WHIP across 22 appearances (20 starts) with Jersey Shore and Reading this season. He recorded 136 strikeouts to 29 walks (4.69 SO/BB ratio) and held opposing hitters to a .229 (89-389) batting average. Castellano, who led all Phillies minor league pitchers in strikeouts, struck out 11.81 batters per 9.0 innings pitched and had a 31.3 (136-434) percent strikeout rate compared to a 6.7 (29-434) percent walk rate. The Venezuela native limited right-handed hitters to a .197/.273/.293 (.566 OPS) slash line in 232 plate appearances and recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts on May 31 against Brooklyn. From his first outing with the Fightin Phils on July 21 through the end of the season, he ranked first in the EL (min. 40.0 IP) in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.56), second in strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched (11.16), third in WHIP (0.99), sixth in strikeouts (50) and eighth in opponent batting average (.211). The Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month in July, Castellano posted back-to-back double-digit strikeout games from Aug. 18-25 for the first time in his career. The right-hander signed with the Phillies as an amateur free agent on July 2, 2018, and was signed by Rafael Álvarez and Rómulo Oliveros.
“Justin’s season statistics speak for themselves,” said Preston Mattingly, Phillies assistant general manager, player development. “The respect he shows to his career, our staff and the game itself – in addition to how he prepares, competes and plays on a daily basis – sets the standard for our organization. We celebrate the steps he has taken and embrace the journey ahead.”
Added Mattingly: “Eiberson’s successful 2024 season was set up by an impactful offseason. His commitment to improving all areas of his game helped increase his workload across two levels. His focus on development led to an increase in his strikeout rate while significantly cutting his walk rate. We’re excited for his growth and will continue to challenge him to push the standard even higher going forward.”
Instituted in 1986, the award is named for the late Paul Owens, who spent 48 years in the Phillies organization as a scout, farm director, general manager, manager and senior advisor. The players will receive their awards on the field on Wednesday, Sept. 25, prior to the Phillies’ 6:05 p.m. game against the Chicago Cubs.