PHILADELPHIA — Justin Crawford was trying to make Thursday feel like any other game day.

The 40 or so family members in attendance and the new outfield he was getting accustomed to at Citizens Bank Park made that a little more difficult. But on his MLB debut, the Phillies rookie center fielder tried as best he could to keep a sense that it’s just another game.

“I’m very excited,” Crawford said before the Phillies opened the 2026 season against the Texas Rangers. “Definitely trying to hold it all in. Last night was pretty cool, family getting all in. So everyone’s really excited, still trying to go about my business, trying to take it one step at a time.”

Crawford isn’t just a hyped rookie on whom hopes are pinned. He’s one of the few avatars of change in a Phillies lineup mostly retained from last season’s second straight National League East title and Division Series ouster.

Since the end of the season, the Phillies have tempered fans’ expectations of change by pointing to Crawford as a built-in alteration, young blood that would refresh from within. Crawford, who hit .334 with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, had nothing left to prove in the minors.

Rob Thomson professed since in October that Crawford would get every chance to show what he can do in the bigs. That started on Day 1 with Crawford hitting ninth and starting in center field.

“Bringing Justin up is a huge deal,” Thomson said. “He’s excited today, I’m sure, and I’m excited for him, just to see him play on this stage.”

Crawford has no shortage of potential advisers on the process, starting at home with father Carl Crawford, a veteran of 1,700 MLB games over 15 seasons.

“He’s been giving me advice,” Justin said. “But really just stay in the moment, enjoy it, play hard and control what you can control at the end of the day. It’s the first one. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself but go out there and have fun.”

Others in the locker room are excited to see Crawford get his shot. This veteran core has successfully integrated young players into the mix, and Crawford is one of the more talented such additions.

“Just to be yourself,” said Bryce Harper on the occasion of his 15th Opening Day in the majors. “I think that’s the biggest thing whenever young guys get here, is just be yourself. Don’t change. Obviously, they’re here for a reason, and they’ve done their job to get here. Looking forward to seeing him play every day, and he’s going to be a special talent for us, and looking forward to see what he can do.”

“I feel like I’m living through him today a little bit,” Brandon Marsh said. “I’m super excited, wish nothing but the best for him. The sky’s the limit for him. He’s going to bring a whole lot to this organization and this team. So I’m super excited to watch him and all of us, to be honest.”

Crawford has checked every box. The 17th overall pick in the 2022 draft has hit .322 in 325 games in the minors. He’s stolen 40 or more bases in each of the last three seasons. He’s proven in spring that he can handle major league pitching by going 13-for-52 (.250) with three doubles and three stolen bases.

“I got a lot of at-bats,” Crawford said. “I felt comfortable in center, felt good swinging, everything felt good running. I feel good, excited to get out here and start playing some games that really matter.”

All that’s left for the 22-year-old is to just go out there and do it. That was the calculus last year, when the Phillies felt him ready to contribute by late summer but couldn’t guarantee him a steady enough supply of at-bats that it would be worth it for his long-term development.

The offseason shuffle of personnel opened up time in center. He’s going to get a chance to prove himself, and he knows that quest starts Thursday.

“You only get one debut, and to go out there and enjoy it,” he said. “Everybody here has constantly told me they’ve got my back, and we’re really a family. So go out there, play my game and play hard.”