Outfielder Dylan Crews has been on an incredibly fast journey from a National Championship at LSU in 2023 to the Washington Nationals MLB roster in 2024. Crews won the 2023 Golden Spikes Award, which goes to the best hitter in College Baseball.
He was drafted second overall by the Washington Nationals one pick after his teammate, right-handed starting pitcher Paul Skenes.
“It’s been fun with a lot of transitioning this year. It’s been a fun ride. I’ve enjoyed every step of the way in my first year here. I wouldn’t trade to be in the place I’m in right now,” Crews told World Baseball Network before the Mets Nationals game at Citi Field on September 16.
The right-handed Crews, 22, played just 135 MilB games in 2023-2024 before being called up to the Nationals on August 26. His career minor league stats are 18 home runs, 97 RBI, 29 stolen bases, and a slash line of .275/.351/.455 in 534 at-bats.
He is currently the top-rated prospect on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 rankings.
Dylan Crews delivers his first three-hit game in The Show!
Top 2: 97 mph EV
Top 7: 103.6 mph
Top 9: 100.8 mphMLB's No. 1 prospect has four multihit contests this month for the @Nationals. pic.twitter.com/k9WdJ7P19A
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 18, 2024
He made his MLB debut against the New York Yankees at Nationals Park. Crews hit his first MLB home run in his third game against Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon. Crews has three home runs, eight RBI, eight stolen bases, and an OPS of .704 in 78 MLB at-bats. Crews talked about his favorite part of his MLB experience.
“The resources we have here have been great. Everything we need is here times ten it’s been awesome to see,” Crews said.
Crews reflected on his LSU days with Paul Skenes, and it’s easy to see how they won the 2023 College World Series against Florida at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska, with the best hitter and pitcher in the Nation. Skenes also won the Dick Howser Trophy that season, which is awarded to the best player in D1 Baseball.
Skenes is flashing that same talent at the MLB level and has himself firmly in the running for the National League Rookie of the Year with 126 innings, 158 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.07.
“We faced each other a couple of times in college. Our coach didn’t really want us to face off against each other that much,” Crews told World Baseball Network. “He’s an unbelievable athlete, he is having a historic season, and I’m really proud of him.”
Crews is still getting his feet wet at the MLB level, and he discussed how he could take his game to the next level. He also talked about guys who have helped him reach the big league level.
“I need to command the strikeout zone, have a lot of fun, enjoy the ride, and ask as many questions as I can to the guys,” Crews said.
“The guys that I’ve been moving up with here, we’ve been playing with each other since the beginning of the year in the Minor Leagues,” Crews said. “The coaches here have been great, too; they’ve given me a lot of information.”
The Nationals only have ten games left and will conclude their series with the Mets in Citi Field at 7:10 pm ET on September 18. Crews will look to finish the season strong and go into year two with a full head of steam.
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WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
Photo Credit: Dylan Crews #3 of the Washington Nationals looks on from the dugout during the second inning of the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 17, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
