'Not that hard': Giants SS Brandon Crawford has jokes after pitching scoreless inning
Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford tossed a scoreless inning in his MLB pitching debut, then had some fun at his teammates' expense.JUNE 12, 2023
BRANDON CRAWFORD #35 - SHORTSTOP - ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
1 HR •
4 RBI •
.169 AVG
1 HR
4 RBI
.169 AVG
Crawford tosses scoreless frame in 1st pitching appearance SAN FRANCISCO -- Brandon Crawford has played in precisely 1,601 games in his Major League career. Up until Sunday, he had only played at one...
JUNE 12, 2023 • MLB.COM
Brandon Crawford closes out SF Giants bullpen game in 13-3 rout of Cubs SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants’ bullpen game Sunday went so well it ended with a position player on the mound. And not just anyone: Brandon Craw...
JUNE 11, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM
Goes to bench Sunday Crawford is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Impact Crawford had started at shortstop in four of the past five games, but he'll give way to rookie Casey Schmitt for the series finale. Though Crawford still grades out well defensively, his middling .192/.276/.350 slash line over 134 plate appearances has made it difficult for the Giants to justify giving him an everyday role at this stage of his career. Expect him to continue to see part-time duties behind Schmitt while the Giants are at full strength in the infield.
JUNE 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Delivers off the bench Crawford went 1-for-1 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's victory over the Rockies.
Impact Crawford, pinch-hitting for Casey Schmitt in the ninth inning, delivered an RBI double off Pierce Johnson to tie the game 4-4 before scoring on Joc Pederson's two-out base hit. The 36-year-old Crawford had been stuck in a 1-for-13 slump coming into Thursday's contest while retreating to a part-time role. Overall, he's slashing just .195/.283/.354 with four homers, 15 RBI and 12 runs scored through 127 plate appearances this season.
JUNE 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
On bench Sunday Crawford is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Impact Crawford had started in five of the past six games and should enjoy a semi-regular role while Thairo Estrada (wrist) is on the shelf, but the veteran shortstop hasn't made a strong case to deserve steady playing time when the Giants are at full strength. Over 119 plate appearances on the season, Crawford is maintaining a .629 OPS -- the lowest mark of his career since his 2011 rookie campaign.
JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Retreats to bench Crawford is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Impact Crawford will head to the bench after he started each of the Giants' last three games, going 4-for-8 with two doubles and two walks over that stretch. Even with the recent hot run at the plate, Crawford is still maintaining a lowly .639 OPS for the season, and it's unclear if the Giants remain committed to him as a regular in the middle infield. Rookie Casey Schmitt appears to be locked in as an everyday option at one of the two middle-infield spots, leaving Crawford and Brett Wisely to vie for most of the opportunities at the other spot.
MAY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Posts three-hit effort Crawford went 3-for-3 with a double, a walk, one RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 14-4 win over the Pirates.
Impact Crawford's produced just three multi-hit efforts in 31 contests, and this was his first since his return from a calf injury. The shortstop has increasingly found himself on the bench -- he sat out three games in a row, all against right-handers, from May 25-27. The lefty hitter should have a clearer path to playing time while Thairo Estrada (wrist) is on the injured list, as it opens up the opportunity for rookie Casey Schmitt to start at second base. A drop in playing time for Crawford is justified, as he's still slashing a paltry .202/.288/.364 with four home runs, 13 RBI, nine runs scored, three stolen bases and four doubles this year even after Monday's big game.
MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Remains on bench Saturday Crawford is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Impact A three-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, Crawford is batting just .172/.252/.323 so far to begin his age-36 season. This marks his third consecutive absence against right-handed pitching, so it looks like Crawford is being phased out as the primary shortstop in favor of Casey Schmitt. Brett Wisely is at second base again Saturday in place of Thairo Estrada (wrist), who was placed on the 10-day injured list.
MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Extra Baggs: Mark Hallberg sends his very best, youth movement puts Crawford on bench The Giants climbed above .500 for the first time this season, and four rookies continued to make an undeniable impact.
MAY 27, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Sits second straight Crawford isn't starting Friday against the Brewers, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Impact Crawford's .575 OPS on the season has now caused him to miss three of the Giants' last four games. In his place, the team will opt to start the much-hotter bat of Casey Schmitt, who will hit seventh.
MAY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Not in lineup Thursday Crawford is not in the lineup Thursday against the Brewers.
Impact Casey Schmitt will play shortstop and bat eighth versus the Brewers and right-hander Julio Teheran. J.D. Davis is at third base and hitting cleanup. Crawford, 36, carries a brutal .172/.252/.323 slash line through 103 plate appearances this season with San Francisco.
MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
How should the Giants manage concerns over Blake Sabol, Brandon Crawford? The Giants know the benefits Sabol and Crawford can bring, but a messy defensive game Wednesday highlights areas of concern with both.
MAY 25, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Out of lineup Crawford will sit Saturday against the Marlins, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Impact The Giants faced five straight righties after Crawford returned from a hamstring strain, and the veteran started against four of them. He'll hit the bench here against lefty Braxton Garrett, with Casey Schmitt starting at shortstop.
MAY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Heads to bench Tuesday Crawford is not in the starting lineup Tuesday versus the Phillies.
Impact Crawford returned from his left calf strain over the weekend, but the Giants will ride with hot-hitting youngster Casey Schmitt at shortstop Tuesday. J.D. Davis is at third base and Thairo Estrada is playing second.
MAY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Activated off injured list San Francisco activated Crawford (calf) off the 10-day injured list Sunday and he'll hit seventh and start at shortstop, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Impact Crawford ended up missing just a little over the minimum 10-day stint on the injured list while recovering from his left calf strain. The veteran shortstop should return to starting at shortstop against right-handed hurlers as he is Sunday. David Villar was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Crawford on the roster.
MAY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Likely to be activated Sunday Crawford (calf) is likely to come off the injured list before Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Impact Crawford will miss a little over the minimum 10-day stint after suffering a right calf strain. The veteran shortstop likely will handle shortstop duties against righties, but he hasn't been playing much against southpaws. That likely continues after Crawford's activation.
MAY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Hoping to return this week Crawford (calf) said Tuesday that he's hoping to return during the Giants' series in Arizona which begins this Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Impact Crawford ran in the outfield Monday and has also been doing a range of other baseball activities. He was placed on the 10-day injured list May 1 with a right calf strain and the Giants have since promoted prospect Casey Schmitt to help fill the gap at shortstop. Schmitt can also play second base and third base, so he might stick around through Crawford's return.
MAY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Ramping up activities Crawford (calf) was spotted running in the outfield at Oracle Park on Monday and has started to ramp up baseball activities, Danny Emerman of KNBR 680 San Francisco report.
Impact Crawford was placed on the 10-day injured list May 1 due to a right calf strain, though the Giants quickly noted that it could be a quick trip to the IL for the infielder. Depending on how the injury responds to an uptick in activity, it's possible Crawford could be back in the starting lineup sometime this week.
MAY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
A healthier, more productive Brandon Crawford is still possible Crawford can search for his springiest self, while the Giants get a chance to revisit Thairo Estrada at short and their second base options.
MAY 2, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Could have minimal stint on IL Crawford told reporters Monday after being placed on the injured list that his MRI showed his calf strain to be worse than anticipated, but he is hopeful he can return to the lineu...
Impact Crawford was diagnosed with a Grade one-plus -- or mild -- strain after leaving Saturday's game. The veteran shortstop will likely not need a rehab assignment, and he could be playing short against right-handed pitching in the middle of May.
MAY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Placed on 10-day IL Crawford was placed on the 10-day IL with a right calf strain by the Giants on Monday, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Impact Crawford left Saturday's game with tightness in his calf, and now will be out of action until the middle of May. With the veteran shortstop out, Thairo Estrada should handle most of the shortstop duties. Cal Stevenson has been recalled from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding transaction.
MAY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Not in Sunday's lineup Crawford (calf) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Impact Crawford exited Saturday's contest with right calf tightness and will be sidelined for Sunday's series finale. Thairo Estrada will move to shortstop while Brett Wisely starts at the keystone for San Francisco.
APRIL 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Denied by replay, Crawford instead hits 482-foot HR during same AB MEXICO CITY – Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford secured a cool bit of history on Saturday afternoon, launching Mexico City’s first MLB regul...
APRIL 30, 2023 • MLB.COM
