Brandon Crawford Will Rise in 2015

2014 was once again magical for the San Francisco Giants, as they won the third World Series in five years. While the Giants on paper were not the best team overall, they took advantage of big plays and individual efforts to bring another trophy home to San Francisco. Brandon Crawford was a crucial part to start the momentum for the Giants in the NL Wildcard win-or-go-home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Crawford put the Giants up comfortably and silenced the rowdy crowd with a grand slam blast to right field. 2014 was good to the Giants and also the Crawford family.

Not only did he get his second World series ring as a member of the Giants, Crawford and his wife, Jalynne, had their second child together. To go along with a newborn and a World Series title, Crawford saw his offensive numbers increase to a career-best, and was awarded this offseason with a $3.175 million dollar deal to avoid arbitration. What a sweet deal for the year of 2014.

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2015 has arrived and the new season has officially gone into full gear as we approach Spring Training. Pitchers and catchers arrived to their Spring locations on February 18th, and then America’s past-time will be the focal point for the next month, as rosters take shape. While 2014 is over, 2015 doesn’t look like it will slow down for Brandon Crawford.

2014 was a career year for Brandon Crawford as he batted .246 with double-digit home runs (10) and 69 RBI’s. Crawford also racked up 10 triples, 20 doubles, and a career-high 59 walks. Crawford’s OPS (On-Base Percentage plus Slugging Percentage) spiked by 39 points from the year before. While a .246 batting averages is nothing to boast about, Brandon offensively filled out his numbers at a new rate.

Throughout the season, Crawford batted all over the lineup due to success, injury, or inconsistency. If he stayed stationary in the lineup, his numbers could have been bolstered more. While we are focusing on the offensive potential of Crawford, let it be known he has always been recognized for his glove.

Crawford’s glove is essentially what helped bump him up to the Giants’ ballclub in 2011 from the former Triple-A affiliate, Fresno Grizzlies. Crawford’s style intrigued Bruce Bochy and the coaching staff to offer the call-up. Since 2011 — Crawford’s rookie season — he has not disappointed with the mitt. Errors tend to define a defender according to some critics, but what goes unnoticed is the range the infielder covers on the field and the degree of difficulty of plays made. Crawford displays range and the desire to take on challenging plays.

For example, on August 30th, 2014 against the Milwaukee Brewers, Crawford shows his range and wizardry with the glove to keep Jake Peavy‘s no-hitter attempt intact:

Crawford’s defensive skills are undeniable, as he makes plays look so easy.

While Crawford committed 21 errors in 2014, they were not all entirely his fault. The Giants, at first base and second base, fielded the likes of Brandon Belt, Buster Posey, Michael Morse, Travis Ishikawa, Adam Duvall, Marco Scutaro (brief stint), Brandon Hicks, and Joe Panik. Crawford is playing every day, but first base and second base were never consistently fielded by one player. With no consistent play, Crawford’s chemistry lacked with the others. When Belt and Panik became the regulars’, Crawford’s stellar defensive plays took off. What seemed like a down year defensively, was still equivalent – if not better – than a good portion of middle infielders in Major League Baseball today.

For years to come, Crawford does not seem like he wants to be known for just his defense. With the career spikes in offense production last season, that showed signs of growth what we may see here in Crawford’s near future. Crawford just turned 28 in January, and his prime years might begin here in the new season. While Crawford may never hit 25-30 home runs in one season, what he can do is improve his batting average and his ability to get on base.

Crawford has never hit above.248 for a full season, which is low for someone who has averaged 127 games per season. Will he ever hit .300? Probably not. But what is wrong for hoping he can in the .265-.279 range? There is no wishing he can, because Crawford can hit in that range. With the departures of Pablo Sandoval and Morse in the offseason, Crawford has a responsibility — along with other Giants’ players — to make up for their run production. AT&T Park is already built for a pitchers park, but has the capabilities to boost doubles and triples production. The Giants are not going to hit a lot of home runs in 2015 as of now, but they will have other ways to score runs without the four-baggers.

Crawford’s defense has already been proven, but his bat seems to be the missing part to complete the player he is. Last season, Crawford showed glimpses of consistency and offensive production to help the Giants ball club. In 2015, he can carry that over and put up a full season of consistent numbers.

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What Crawford has to show the Giants and Bochy is a balance of hitting from both sides of plate (’14 BA: .320 vs. left & .213 vs. right), improve batting awareness (129 strike outs in 491 at-bats), and learn to hit in July and August (.173 BA in July; .193 BA in August).

Crawford is not going to be an MVP or Silver Slugger, but what he can do is become a good hitter who can put the ball in play, and he might sneak himself into the All-Star game. Crawford currently stands 8th in the batting order. With a good February and March, Crawford could move up in the batting order to the 6th spot regularly, and 2nd on Panik’s days off. Crawford has earned his spot for the Giants long-term.

In 2015, Crawford won’t just be known for his defensive craft, but will discover the talent he has offensively. Expect Crawford to not be the only “Brandon” taking the next step for the Giants in 2015. Belt will be joining the company.

Prediction: .270 BA, 12 HR, 65 RBI, 145 hits, 77 runs scored, 29 doubles, 6 triples, 118 SO, 62 BB, 7 SB

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