The 16th pick overall in the 2013 MLB draft, Crawford began his career with the Philadelphia Phillies as an exceptional defensive infielder and was considered the organization's top prospect for much of his rise through their minor league system.

[3] His older sister Eliza, a softball player for California State University, Fullerton, brought him to batting practices and encouraged him.

The school's baseball coach Spud O'Neil recalled Crawford "was 6'2" and skinny as a rail" but recognized his flair defensively, and immediately accommodated the freshman by opening a spot at shortstop.

He adjusted well at the plate: in 39 games with the GCL Phillies, Crawford led the league in both batting average (.345) and on-base percentage (.443), earning a promotion to the Single-A Lakewood BlueClaws in August.

He finished the minor league season, which included a promotion to the Clearwater Threshers in June, with a strikeout-to-walk ratio close to 1-to-1.

[12] Playing 104 games, between Clearwater and the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils, he finished his season hitting .288 with six home runs, 42 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases.

Crawford returned to form in his next 85 games, posting a .275 batting average and 14 home runs, more than he had in any minor league season.

[14][15] Crawford received attention on July 26 with an inside-the-park grand slam at Coca-Cola Park, finishing with a decoy slide under the tag of Gwinnett's David Freitas.

[16] With Freddy Galvis set as the Phillies' shortstop, Crawford began playing third base for the IronPigs on August 20, in anticipation of a time share with the struggling Maikel Franco.

[17] In the latter half of 2017, the Phillies had re-equipped their major league team with young players including Rhys Hoskins and Jorge Alfaro.

[18] Phillies manager Pete Mackanin expressed interest in Crawford, hoping the prospect could play regularly in the majors before the end of 2017.

Playing at third base in his MLB debut, Crawford went 1-for-5, hitting into a fielder's choice in his first at-bat, before singling to center field in the fifth inning.

[22] Philadelphia, under new manager Gabe Kapler, wanted its players to "control the strike zone" and post high on-base percentages (OBP).

[24] He returned to the roster on June 6, sharing starts at third base with Franco as Scott Kingery became the team's primary shortstop.

[25][26][27] Facing the St. Louis Cardinals on June 19, Crawford was hit by a pitch, breaking his left hand and returning him to the DL.

[29] On December 3, 2018, the Phillies traded Crawford and Carlos Santana to the Seattle Mariners for Jean Segura, James Pazos, and Juan Nicasio.

[32] On May 10, the Mariners called up Crawford following an impressive stretch in Tacoma in which he hit .319/.420/.457 with 7 doubles, 3 home runs, and 15 RBI, reaching base in all 31 games he played.

[31] On Juneteenth, Crawford hit his first career grand slam off of Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Josh Fleming.

[41] Crawford finished the regular season with a .243 and 6 home runs, both worse than 2021, but showed improved patience, walking in 11 percent of plate appearances.