The Nationals introduced a new staff in 2026, and it was made very clear that it does not matter who you are; you must earn your spot. Dylan Crews, the team's 2023 1st-round draft pick (2nd overall), was optioned to Triple-A Rochester rather than getting the big-league nod. In spring training, Crews batted an abysmal .103, and so, Blake Butera and Paul Toboni decided that more development was in store.
As the season is now 4 weeks deep, a checkup is due for Crews. He has 20 games played for the Rochester Red Wings, with Crews having a .257 batting average, .742 OPS, 2 home runs, 9 RBI's, and 5 stolen bases. In those 88 at-bats, Crews does flash a very poor 25% strikeout rate (22). While Crews marks his best MiLB batting average since 2024, the numbers do not quite wow us fans.
The star prospect expects to do big things, but it has yet to be seen, nor shall it be seen any time very soon. Coming out of LSU, MLB.com 's scouting report listed Crews as a player with "one of the most decorated careers in LSU baseball history." In his College World Series-winning season with LSU in 2023, Crews was 4th in D-I college baseball with a .426 batting average and 2nd in D-I with a .567 on-base percentage.
Crews was scouted as a player with great plate discipline, "rarely going outside the zone while teeing off on the pitches he could drive." The expectation of Crews was that of a great contact hitter, though lacking Home Run Derby-esque power, and not much speed. At the time of the 2023 MLB Draft, Crews was coming off of Co-SEC Player of the Year honors with a Golden Spikes Award. That hype has died off over the past nearly three years.
The Nationals' major league squad did see Crews play in 2025. Before mid-season injury, Crews batted to a .208 average and a .631 OPS with 76 strikeouts in 322 at-bats (23.6%). Clearly, no proof was in the bat of Crews, thus making zero case for a 2026 return post-abysmal spring training effort.
When Can Dylan Crews Return to the MLB?
As per our own, Bennett Lehmann, the team may desire to see Crews rake a .900 OPS to earn his big-league return. That mark — Crews fall .156 points short; a long way to go. If Crews bats to a middling-to-subpar status in Triple-A, he shall expect to fail in the majors. His development is vital right now, and so is a return before the All-Star Break, which seems unlikely. Worst-case scenario: Crews never see the field in 2026.
When, if Crews comes up, he plays in the outfield. The Nationals seem to lack room for Crews right now, fielding James Wood, Dylen Lile, and Jacob Young with Joey Weimer being an excelling backup — 3rd on the team in hitting WAR. What do you make of Crews through nearly 3 years? Let us know on X — @districtondeck.
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