Crawford & Knigge Earn Organizational Honors for May

(Photo: MiLB.com)

The Phillies J.P. Crawford and Tyler Knigge took home organizational player and pitcher of the month respectively after having impressive May's across the board. Crawford is currently with the Lakewood Blueclawks in Class 'A', while Knigge was just promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on June 1st.

Late last month, I wrote a piece on last year's Phillies first rounder, J.P. Crawford. Clearly the favorite to take over Jimmy Rollins spot when he departs, Crawford has been turning heads with not just his defense, but offensive production as well. In the month of May, the Phillies 19-year-old prospect's slash line was .367/.447/.522. Ranked as the #3 prospect in the Phillies organization, Crawford is hitting .301 overall with 16 doubles, three homers, 19 RBI's and 11 stolen bases in Lakewood this season to go along with a .969 OPS. The young shortstop has 36 strikeouts in 219 at-bats, but he also knows how to be patient, drawing 35 walks this season with the Blueclaws. While June hasn't necessarily started as well for Crawford, who is hitting .200 in 12 games this month, expect him to continue to improve offensively as he matures through the system.

Taking home Pitcher of the Month honors is 25-year-old, Tyler Knigge. Selected in the 12th round of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Phillies out of Lewis-Clark State College, the right-hander went 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and three saves in 11 games with Reading. He struck out 13 and walked four in 21 innings. In 17 games overall before being promoted to Triple-A, Knigge posted a 2.12 ERA over 34 innings pitched. Since being promoted to Lehigh Valley on June 1st, Knigge has struggled a little. In just 5.2 innings thrown thus far, he has given up three earned runs in four games. The Phillies right-hander has struck out six and is holding opponents to a .238 average against, which is 20 points higher than the average he held opponents to in Reading, at .218.

Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com