Linton Blaine Crim (born June 17, 1997) is an American professional baseball first baseman who has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for both the Texas Rangers and the Colorado Rockies. Standing as a powerful left-handed hitter, Crim developed his skills through an impressive amateur career in Alabama before being drafted by the Rangers in the 19th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the most productive hitters in the minor leagues, earning prestigious awards and compiling outstanding statistics across multiple levels of the Rangers system before finally reaching the majors in 2025.
Blaine Crim Early Life and Background
Linton Blaine Crim was born on June 17, 1997, and grew up in Mobile, Alabama. He attended St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile, where he quickly became one of the top high school baseball players in the state. During his senior year on the mound, Crim went an unbeaten 12-0 with a remarkable 1.88 earned run average and 69 strikeouts, demonstrating his two-way talent as both a pitcher and a hitter. At the plate that season, he showcased his power potential by hitting .536 with eight home runs and 61 runs batted in, earning him the Alabama Coastal Player of the Year honor and a spot on the 2014-15 All-USA Alabama Baseball Team second squad.
Blaine Crim Amateur Career
Despite his standout high school performance, Crim went undrafted out of high school and chose to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level. He enrolled at Mississippi College, where he played for the Mississippi College Choctaws from 2016 to 2019. As a freshman in 2016, Crim made an immediate impact, hitting .300 with three home runs and 33 runs batted in while also contributing on the mound with a 7.18 ERA over 36 and one-third innings. His performance improved significantly in his sophomore season of 2017, as he raised his batting average to .335 with eight home runs and 41 runs batted in.
During the summer of 2017, Crim played for the Southern Ohio Copperheads of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League, where he dominated the competition by hitting .359 with four home runs and 38 runs batted in, earning MVP honors at the league’s All-Star Game. His junior season in 2018 represented a breakout campaign, as he posted a .383 batting average with 13 home runs and 66 runs batted in, demonstrating the kind of elite-level production that would define his professional career. He returned to Southern Ohio for the summer and continued his torrid hitting pace, slashing .404/.419/.680 with seven home runs and 52 runs batted in. In his senior season of 2019, Crim closed out his collegiate career strongly by hitting .373 with 11 home runs and 56 runs batted in.
Blaine Crim Professional Career
Minor League Development (2019-2024)
The Texas Rangers selected Crim in the 19th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, and he signed to begin his professional career immediately after being drafted. He split his debut season between the AZL Rangers of the Rookie-level Arizona League and the Spokane Indians of the Low-A Northwest League, where he combined to hit .348 with eight home runs and 48 runs batted in. His outstanding performance earned him the 2019 Northwest League Most Valuable Player Award, marking the first major recognition of his professional career. The 2020 season was lost to the cancellation of the minor league schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic, denying Crim an opportunity to advance his development.
Crim returned to action in 2021 with the Hickory Crawdads of the High-A East League, where he wasted no time establishing himself as one of the top prospects in the Rangers organization. Over 73 games, he hit .300 with 20 home runs and 61 runs batted in, earning a selection to the High-A East All-Star team. He received a mid-season promotion to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Central, where he continued his strong hitting by posting a .288 average with nine home runs and 19 runs batted in over 35 games. Following the 2021 season, Crim played for the Indios de Mayagüez in the Puerto Rican Winter League, where he dominated by winning the league batting title with a remarkable .406 average along with three home runs and 25 runs batted in.
The 2022 season saw Crim split time between Frisco and the Triple-A Round Rock Express of the Pacific Coast League. He combined to hit .293 with 24 home runs and 96 runs batted in, showcasing his ability to produce at the highest level of the minor leagues. In 2023, Crim received a non-roster invitation to major league spring training with the Rangers, a significant recognition of his progress. He returned to Round Rock for the season and delivered another strong campaign, hitting .290 with 22 home runs and 85 runs batted in. His leadership and production earned him the prestigious 2023 True Ranger Award, given to the organization’s top minor leaguer. He spent the 2024 season back with Round Rock, hitting .277 with 20 home runs and 86 runs batted in.
Texas Rangers Debut (2025)
Crim began the 2025 season with the Triple-A Round Rock Express, where he continued his consistent hitting performance. On May 2, 2025, the Texas Rangers selected his contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time in his career, realizing the dream he had been pursuing since being drafted in 2019. Crim made his MLB debut shortly after the promotion, though his first stint in the majors proved challenging as he went hitless in his first 11 at-bats with one walk across five appearances.
Colorado Rockies (2025-Present)
The Rangers designated Crim for assignment on July 31, 2025, but his career took a positive turn just days later. On August 3, 2025, the Colorado Rockies claimed him off waivers, giving him a fresh opportunity with a new organization. Crim made the most of his chance with the Rockies, recording his first career hit on September 13, a three-run home run off JP Sears of the San Diego Padres, a moment that validated his years of minor league development. During his time with Colorado, Crim appeared in 15 games and produced at an impressive level, slashing .241/.295/.556 with an .851 OPS and 120 OPS+, hitting five home runs over 61 plate appearances.
Crim began the 2026 season with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, the Rockies’ top minor league affiliate. He posted solid numbers through 36 games, hitting .265 with seven home runs, 35 runs batted in, and two stolen bases. However, on May 20, 2026, the Rockies designated Crim for assignment. He was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers on May 23, 2026, marking a return to the organization that originally signed him. He was later released by the Rangers on June 26, 2026, making him a free agent.
Blaine Crim Career Highlights
Throughout his professional career, Crim has established himself as an exceptional power hitter with the ability to produce at every level of the minor leagues. His career minor league statistics include over 100 home runs and more than 500 runs batted in across Multiple levels. The consistency of his performance, particularly his ability to hit for average while also displaying plus power, has been a hallmark of his game throughout his career.
Notable Achievements
Crim’s most significant individual achievement came in 2019 when he was named the Northwest League MVP following his dominant performance with the Spokane Indians, where he led the league in multiple offensive categories. His 2021 campaign was equally impressive, as he earned High-A East All-Star honors while showing the ability to handle the jump to Double-A baseball. The 2023 True Ranger Award recognized him as the top minor leaguer in the entire Rangers system, a testament to his sustained excellence. His winter league performance in Puerto Rico, where he won the batting title with a .406 average, further demonstrated his ability to hit for average at an elite level.
Blaine Crim Playing Style
Crim is known as a pull-side power hitter who uses the entire field effectively. His left-handed swing generates impressive bat speed, allowing him to drive the ball with authority to all fields. As a first baseman, he is considered a solid defender with good hands and footwork around the bag. His approach at the plate is patient and disciplined, showing the ability to work counts and draw walks when pitchers try to work around him.
Blaine Crim Family and Personal Life
Details about Crim’s family background, including his parents and any siblings, are not extensively documented in publicly available sources. He has not publicly disclosed information about a spouse or children as of recent records.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented the culmination of Crim’s journey through the minor leagues, as he finally earned his long-awaited promotion to Major League Baseball. After opening the year at Triple-A Round Rock where he continued his consistent hitting, his May call-up to the Rangers marked the beginning of his major league career. Though his initial stint with Texas was brief and challenging at the plate, his move to Colorado provided him with valuable everyday playing time that allowed him to adjust to major league pitching. His September home run against San Diego served as a breakthrough moment that validated his readiness for the highest level of competition.