Latest news with #AnthonyContreras
CBS News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Phillies prospect Justin Crawford knocking on the door of the majors after hot start with Lehigh Valley
Justin Crawford has only been in the Lehigh Valley for five weeks. Hard to tell given how well the Phillies' No. 2 hitting prospect has acclimated himself to Triple-A, a move he initially didn't see coming. Crawford only played 40 games in Double-A Reading, yet the Phillies thought they had seen enough to bump the 21-year-old outfielder up a level. Crawford has played just 30 games for the IronPigs, yet hits beyond his years. "I think I'm obviously still kinda making adjustments. It's not really easy," Crawford said. "But I've kinda been just trusting my routine, my approach. Doing everything that I've done to get here has helped me just stay even keel. I'm taking it one at-bat at a time." Through those first 30 games, Crawford has hit .323 with 41 hits on the young season — an average of 1.4 hits per game. He's stolen 10 bases and driven in 13 runs while scoring 19, striking out 29 times and walking 14 times (9.9% walk rate). His OPS is at .805, the same number as last season when Crawford breezed through High-A Jersey Shore and Double-A Reading. Crawford has been the top of the lineup presence the IronPigs have needed. "He's a young kid playing at the highest level," IronPigs manager Anthony Contreras said. "He has a knack for just finding the barrel. To some, it might look unorthodox the way he kinda goes about it, but he has this knack of spoiling pitches and extending these ABs that allow him to see more pitches. "When good hitters can do that, he puts himself in a good position." Crawford is 11th in the International League in average, tied for 11th in stolen bases and fourth in hits. There are still parts of Crawford's game he's learning, yet he's playing like a seasoned vet in Triple-A rather than a 21-year-old rookie. "Obviously, it's definitely better," Crawford said of Triple-A pitching. "I think just facing older guys that have been in the big leagues, have big league time. They're finer. They have more of a game plan, trying to pitch to me and get me out. "The pitchers are just more fine. They paint the corners a little bit more. You don't get as many middle heaters as you would normally get at the lower levels. They put the ball where they wanna put it." There is no rush to get Crawford to the big leagues, even though he's accelerating that clock with every passing hit. Crawford could be the Phillies center fielder at some point this season, but that talk has died down with the improved play of Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas — who currently occupy the position for the big league club. Crawford is knocking on that door to the major leagues. He's not putting any pressure on himself to get there either. "I really truly don't think about it," Crawford said. "I'm kinda self-focused on just trying to get a hit in my next at bat, to be honest, and playing defense. I don't let my mind go there. Whenever it does, things just don't go the way I want. "I kinda always figured to stay as present as possible and just worry about the next pitch. That's kind of helped me stay in the moment." That time will come for Crawford soon.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Vigil planned for North Jersey woman killed in Dominican Republic night club tragedy
PASSAIC — A vigil will be held Tuesday night to remember Jennifer C. Contreras, the 23-year-old city woman who died in the April 8 Jet Set Night Club tragedy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Contreras was among 225 others confirmed killed and more than 200 injured when the roof of the iconic nightclub collapsed last week. Sixteen of the deceased were Americans, according to reports. A graduate of Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne, Contrreras traveled to the Caribbean nation to celebrate her birthday and the birthdays of family friends, said her brother, Anthony Contreras. "Jennifer was the most kind hearted, loving, and soft person," Anthony Contreras wrote on the GoFundMe page set up to raise money to help pay for funeral arrangements and to bring her remains back to Passaic. "She was an incredible daughter, sister, friend, cousin, and more." Family members said they learned of her death on Wednesday, a day after the collapse as rescue workers began to uncover victims of the rood collapse. It would have been her 24th birthday. Her brother said she was also in Santo Domingo to complete a certification class on eyebrow micropigmentation as she was starting a beauty business. "It was essentially the last thing she needed," Anthony said of the certification. Because her remains are in the Dominican Republic, the financial burden of the logistics, mortuary services in both countries, and funeral services in the United States has put a stress on her family, her brother said. The cost or bringing her remains home and burial, headstone and other costs are expected to be around $35,000. As of Monday the gofundme page had raised in excess of $37,000. More: Death toll climbs to nearly 200 in Dominican Republic roof collapse: Everything we know The family thanks the community for the help and kind thoughts and prayers, Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said. The vigil will be held at 52 Hammond Ave.., at 7 p.m. outside her family home. Passaic will restrict traffic around the vigil. "We ask that you pray and worship for my sister and our family at this time, " Anthony said on Monday. Jennifer is also survived by her mother, Dina Marcelo and sister, Luz. The memorial service and funeral details will be made once her remains are returned, the family said. Officials have said it's too soon to determine why the roof fell. Prosecutors visited the scene on Thursday after rescue crews began packing up and removing heavy equipment. The devastating accident occurred in the nation's capital of Santo Domingo during a performance by Rubby Pérez, 69, a merengue singer who was performing with his band when the roof collapsed. Pérez was among those who died. The exact cause of the disaster is currently under investigation. Last Thursday, the Dominican Republic announced the creation of an investigative commission. This article originally appeared on Dominican night club collapse: Vigil set for NJ woman killed
