The Washington Nationals at the big league level have not made much noise this season, unless it involved their stacked farm system. The buzz around James Wood during Spring Training and into the regular season, made his inevitable callup that much more exciting. The former top prospect has since been playing everyday in the Washington outfield.
The Nationals a month later have called up their now top prospect Dylan Crews to the major league level after an impressive first full professional season. The former LSU Tiger, National Champion, number two overall pick, Golden Spikes Winner, and baseball’s number three overall prospect brings in another piece of this new young core of the Washington Nationals.
The Nationals are getting an incredible athlete at the center field position. Crews has a 60 graded run tool from MLB Pipeline, and covers the outfield very nicely with well above average speed. Across 99 games this season in the minor leagues, Crews has stolen 25 bases while only being caught stealing five times, showing he can be a productive base runner at the major league level.
As for at the plate, the Nationals are getting an on base machine with Dylan Crews. In his three seasons at LSU, Crews never hit for an average below .349 or an on base percentage below .453. The strikeout to walk ratio wasn’t remotely a concern at all coming out of college, but since starting his professional career, the strikeout numbers have risen. This being his first full professional season however, the strikeout numbers shouldn’t get any higher going forward and the approach should improve.
Crews has an incredible hit tool to pair alongside his pure athleticism. MLB Pipeline grades his hit and power tools each a 60, and he’s able to do it all hitting for home runs, doubles, and triples. While at the AA level Crews only hit five home runs, and he surpassed that total in AAA Rochester.
His numbers have been very similar between the two levels, recording a batting average both in the .270 range, and an exact on base percentage of .343. Crews shows to be a consistent bat, and an athletic baserunner with plus speed.
Seeing time to cap off the end of this season is a win-win for the Nationals and Dylan Crews. He’ll be able to get some big league experience under his belt, as well as adjust to playing in the outfield at the major league level with former Rochester Red Wings teammate James Wood. The Nationals will also benefit obviously from fans wanting to get their first in-person looks at Crews.
The new core of the Washington Nationals will now have some time to get some chemistry at the big league level before heading into a 2025 season where they hope to be much more competitive in an already very competitive National League East division.
Crews has earned the quick call up, and will usher in a new era at the center field position in Washington.
Minor League Stats
Harrisburg (AA)
51 G | 211 PA | .274/.343/.446 | .789 OPS | 26 R | 51 H | 11 2B | 3 3B | 5 HR | 38 RBI | 15 SB
Rochester (AAA)
48 G | 233 PA | .271/.343/.464 | .807 OPS | 34 R | 56 H | 10 2B | 3 3B | 8 HR | 30 RBI | 10 SB