The Nationals are set to promote former No. 2 overall pick, according to Grant Paulsen of MLB Network Radio on X. Crews will make his major-league debut when the Nats face the Yankees on Monday. Although he is not currently on the team’s 40-man roster, there is already an available spot. Unless the team fills that spot over the weekend, they will only need to make a corresponding move on the active roster.
At 22, Crews was the second overall pick in last year’s draft, following his LSU teammate Paul Skenes, who went first to the Pirates. Crews showcased impressive offensive performance throughout his college career and has continued that success in the minors. After being drafted, he had stints in the Complex League, Single-A, and Double-A, where he hit .292/.377/.467 in 159 plate appearances, posting a wRC+ of 135.
Heading into 2024, Dylan Crews was already recognized as one of the top 10 prospects in baseball, and he has reinforced that status this year. The Nationals initially assigned him to Double-A, where he played 51 games and posted a .274/.343/.446 line with a 122 wRC+, while also stealing 15 bases. He was then promoted to Triple-A, appearing in 48 games and recording a .271/.343/.464 slash line with a 108 wRC+ and an additional 10 stolen bases.
Crews is also known for his strong defensive skills, particularly in center field, where the Nationals have predominantly used him. Though they’ve occasionally used him in the corners, the expectation is that he will primarily play up the middle in the long term.
Crews is widely regarded as one of the best prospects currently. Baseball America ranks him fourth overall, although James Wood, a fellow National who has since graduated from prospect status, effectively places Crews at No. 3. Jackson Holliday (Orioles) and Junior Caminero (Rays) are the only two prospects ranked ahead of him who are already in the majors. FanGraphs ranks Crews at No. 6, MLB Pipeline at No. 3, ESPN at No. 12, and Keith Law of The Athletic at No. 7.
The Nationals, in their ongoing rebuild, have been developing a core of young talent, including Wood, shortstop CJ Abrams, and pitcher MacKenzie Gore. With their record at 58-70, well out of playoff contention, they can focus on integrating young players like Crews into the big leagues.
Crews’ promotion comes at a strategic time to preserve his rookie status for 2025. To avoid losing rookie status, a player must either spend 45 days on the active roster or accumulate 130 at-bats. With fewer than 45 days remaining in the 2024 season, the Nationals will likely manage Crews’ playing time to keep him under the 130 at-bat threshold, which could qualify them for the prospect promotion incentive. This incentive offers an extra draft pick if a promoted top prospect has a full season and wins Rookie of the Year or meets other award criteria.
The deployment of Crews in the outfield will be closely watched. The Nationals currently have Jacob Young, a top defensive center fielder, who has struggled offensively but excelled defensively with 13 Defensive Runs Saved and an MLB-leading 18 Outs Above Average. Potential outfield alignments might include Wood in left, Young in center, and Crews in right, or alternatively, Alex Call in right with Young as the fourth outfielder. Call has been impressive offensively this year with a .347/.429/.531 line in 112 plate appearances.
Overall, Crews’ promotion is part of the Nationals’ strategy to build a strong young roster as they aim to reopen a competitive window. With a relatively clean payroll slate after the season, including the departure of Patrick Corbin’s contract, the Nationals could be active in the offseason, depending on how their young talents perform in the remaining games.
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