The Washington Nationals selected outfielder Dylan Crews with the second overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. A winner of the Golden Spikes award, awarded to the best hitter in college baseball, experts penciled in Crews as a star in the making. Two and a half years removed from the MLB Draft, it hasn't exactly been the easiest road for Crews. Through 374 career at-bats in the Major Leagues, Crews has just a .638 OPS with 12 home runs and 33 runs batted in. The 23-year-old has had a larger adjustment period in the big leagues than most Nats' fans anticipated.
The expectations for Crews are through the roof from Nats fans, and it's justified; he was the second overall pick in the MLB Draft. His college teammate, Paul Skenes, has dominated through his first two seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Skenes was selected with the first overall selection in the '23 Draft ahead of Crews. While it could be unfair to Dylan, he'll have those comparisons to deal with throughout his career.
This season has been challenging for Crews, and it's hard to evaluate. The season began in the worst way for Dylan, going hitless in his first five games of the season with ten strikeouts. In April, Crews put together a solid month of production, hitting .247/.272/.688 with four home runs and six runs driven in. Flip the calendar to May, Crews hit .167/.308/.660 with three home runs and nine runs batted in. On May 20th against the Braves, Crews exited the game with an oblique injury. It would end up putting Dylan on the shelf until August.
While Crews wasn't setting the world on fire in the statistical category before his injury, losing over two months of playing time was the worst thing for his development. The 2025 season is essentially one to forget for Crews. From going hitless in his first five games to missing effectively half the season, there hasn't been much production at the plate for him in 2025. Some of his plate appearances have been questionable, marked by a lack of plate discipline and an inability to recognize the strike zone, which is shocking considering his pedigree. The Nats' coaching staff certainly isn't doing him any favors.
It's tough to put a grade on Dylan Crews' 2025 season, so I'll say it's "to be determined" until the end of the season. Why, because he missed two months of the season with a serious injury and has Darnell Coles as his hitting coach. Crews could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of a new coaching staff with a fresh approach to hitting, and he is one of the most important players to the future of this organization.
While Crews may not be lighting it up at the plate, his impact is felt if you watch the Nationals play. Crews has stolen 14 bases and made two outfield assists this season. Crews also plays with an intensity that spreads to other players on the team. The winning mentality instilled in Crews during his time at LSU can provide a spark the Nats need. In 2026, the Nats outfield trio of James Wood, Dylan Crews, and Daylen Lile could be exciting to watch.