The Washington Nationals may not be vying for a postseason berth; however, they are providing their fans with reasons to remain engaged for the remainder of the season because they have elevated outfielder Dylan Crews, the second overall selection in the 2023 MLB draft, to the major leagues for his debut last month, where he is already exhibiting the tools of excellence.
What’s The Big Deal About Crews Joining the Majors?
The 2023 Golden Spikes winner, as the best player in college baseball, debuted in MLB in just a little over a year after he was drafted. For contrast, just two top-ten selections from the 2022 draft have ascended to the major leagues, signaling how talented Crews really is.
Crews is ranked first on the latest MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects list. The Top 10 is less robust than usual due to recent graduations. However, he is considered one of the premier prospects until he reaches his rookie status at 130 at-bats. Until then, Crews should retain that No. 1 prospect ranking on MLB Pipeline.
The arrival of Crews is significant since it represents a substantial advancement in the Nationals’ rebuild efforts. In addition to Crews, the Nationals also have second baseman Luis Garcia Jr., shortstop CJ Abrams, outfielder James Wood, center fielder Jacob Young, and 25-year-old catcher Keibert Ruiz as well as a young core of starting pitchers.
This is crucial for a squad that will conclude the year with a fifth consecutive losing record, with the Nationals’ most recent winning record dating back to 2019, when they took the World Series title… A change is needed, and a change is coming!
Dylan Crews: Quick Facts
Position: Outfielder
Date of Birth: February 26, 2002
Born: Springs, Florida
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 203 pounds
B/T: Right/right
High School: Lake Mary, Florida
College: Louisiana State
Reasons Why Dylan Crews Can Become a Star
Dylan Crews was chosen second overall by the Nationals in the 2023 MLB Draft and won almost every major award in college baseball. Just over a year later, he has already made his major league debut, but what’s the hype about?
Multi-talented
What are Crews’ most notable attributes on the field? It is challenging to decide because he possesses the ability to do everything as a true 5-tool player which assesses the hit tool, power, defense, arm, and speed. The 6th tool is his great desire to win which we saw at LSU when he led his team to the college National Championship.
“Good things happen when you hustle, so just try to keep that mentality every day.”
— Dylan Crews said after last night’s game
“It definitely sets a tone [with that hustle hit to leadoff the game], for sure. I try to start of the game with momentum like that … and play the first inning — like I play the last inning.”
MLB Pipeline assigned a 60 grade to his hitting, power, and speed, but his arm and defense received 55 on the 20-80 scouting scale. Pipeline reports that most evaluators believe Crews has the capabilities to remain in center field; nevertheless, he is expected to also play in right field since Jacob Young is vying for a Gold Glove in center for the Nationals.
Minor League Legend
Crews has generated impressive statistics at every Minor League location. He possesses a career slash line of .275/.351/.455 across five levels, having recorded 18 home runs and 29 stolen bases in 135 Minor League Baseball games.
During a sweltering August, he achieved a batting average of .513 with four home runs and 14 RBIs across 18 games at Triple-A Rochester before his call-up on August 26. Five days prior, Crews achieved his first four-hit game in Triple-A, thus adding more intrigue to his potential in his final minor league appearance.
Could’ve Been the No.1 Overall Pick
Crews almost became the second LSU athlete to be taken first overall in the Draft, following pitcher Ben McDonald, who was chosen as the No. 1 choice in the 1989 Draft by the Orioles. Rather, it was Crews’ teammate, pitcher Paul Skenes, whom the Pirates chose first overall.
The two became the inaugural teammates picked first and second in the same Draft. Either way, approximately 14 months after being selected, both are presently in the Major Leagues.
Crews Is Already Juiced on Most Betting Lines
Since an epic start for the Nationals, most top US sports betting apps are showing juiced lines on Dylan Crews over/under in singles, hits, and total bases. His home run average odds are still fairly high, as are steals and runs batted in, but overall, the bookmakers are weary of his potential, and rightfully so.
Dylan Crews Average Odds:
| Consensus | Line | Over (Avg) | Under (Avg) |
| Home Runs | 0.5 | +675 | -1100 |
| Singles | 0.5 | -105 | -125 |
| Hits | 0.5 | -190 | +140 |
| Total Bases | 0.5 | -190 | +140 |
| Runs Batted In | 0.5 | +200 | -275 |
| Steals | 0.5 | +320 | -550 |
Dylan Crews Nationals Debut Series & Performances So Far
Despite the presence of Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, and the New York Yankees, Dylan Crews was the primary draw at Nationals Park during his MLB series and Major League debut.
The 22-year-old callup delivered a great first series for Washington. In his second game, he achieved his first two hits, followed by a leadoff home run and an RBI double in the series, which concluded with the rebuilding Nationals winning two out of three against the American League-leading Yankees.
Recently, Crews achieved a 2-for-3 performance, with a home run, a double, one walk, two runs batted in, two runs scored, and two stolen bases during this past weekend’s 5-3 victory against the Pirates in the first game of their doubleheader.
He has now turned in the top two defensive plays in consecutive nights showing that he also has highlight reel defense to go with his speed and power as he shows off all 5-tools.
“Crews in right field is killing us. That kid, he’s a special player. … For what he’s doing at the big league level, playing really hard, running down our baseline as hard as you can and disrupting us, fielding and making incredible plays in right field.”
— said Marlins manager Skip Schumaker last night
The 22-year-old Nats’ outfielder has performed admirably since his call-up, achieving six extra-base hits out of 15 total hits and successfully stealing eight bases in 16 games. Notably, he has had only 13 strikeout in his 16 games and got his K rate down to 14.9 percent in the month of September, and believe me, the umps have not gone easy on him with pitches off of the edge. It is hoped that he will maintain productivity during the fantasy playoffs and is expected to be a Rookie of the Year frontrunner in 2025.
The Expectations of Dylan Crews
With Crews in right field, Wood in the left, and the exceptional defense and speed of fellow rookie Jacob Young in the center, the Nationals may have identified their starting outfield for the foreseeable future. The three contributed six of Washington’s ten hits during Game 3 with the Yankees… Impressive, to say the least.
Joining the Nationals during a down season might be the perfect setting. This allows him to acclimate to the major leagues in a comparatively low-pressure setting. His bat-to-ball proficiency and power are expected to be effective. Even if he began feeling somewhat overwhelmed, it offers an offseason agenda to prepare for 2025.
How good can Dylan Crews be? One of the best! And only time will tell.
