The Nationals are not expected to make much noise in 2026. The offseason has stayed quiet, and with spring training getting underway, year one of the Paul Toboni and Blake Butera era is officially here.
But while expectations for the team remain modest, expectations for one particular player are considerably higher, meaning he has far more on the line than anyone else.
Dylan Crews is the most important National in 2026.
Crews was selected second overall in the 2023 draft, one pick behind his LSU teammate Paul Skenes. He came to Washington fresh off a Golden Spikes Award, a national championship at LSU and a $9 million signing bonus that reflected his value to the organization. He was seen as a franchise cornerstone from the moment his name was called.
After flying through the minor leagues in just over a year, Crews made his MLB debut on Aug. 26, 2024.
Across parts of two seasons and 412 major league at bats, however, the production has not matched the hype.
Crews owns a .211 batting average and a .634 OPS with 13 home runs, 35 RBI and 29 stolen bases. There have been flashes of the five-tool ability that earned him the No. 2 overall pick, but the consistency has not followed. The strikeouts have been an issue, the high ground ball rate has limited his power and a left oblique strain sidelined him for nearly three months, disrupting any rhythm he was starting to build.
For a player expected to anchor the next core, that start was clearly disappointing.
That is why 2026 carries so much weight.
Crews is still just 23 years old. He possesses elite athleticism, plays strong defense in the outfield, brings ridiculous speed on the bases and the bat still carries elite upside. The tools that made him the No. 2 overall pick have not disappeared.
And while his traditional numbers have underwhelmed, his advanced metrics show some promise. There are signs he may have run into some bad luck, and with better swing decisions and more consistent contact, the production could look very different.
That is where the Nationals’ new hitting staff comes in. Heading into spring training, Washington clearly has prioritized player development, with manager Blake Butera and hitting coaches Matt Borgschulte and Andrew Aydt leading a younger, analytically minded approach. Crews stands at the center of that effort.
When he takes a step forward, the lineup will look different. I believe that step is coming in 2026. A breakout season from Crews would give Washington the impact bat it has been missing and provide real momentum to a franchise trying to turn the page after six straight losing seasons.
Of course, the team includes other important players this year. Guys like James Wood, CJ Abrams, Daylen Lile and Cade Cavalli will all play major roles. But none of them face the same level of pressure or carry the same expectations that Crews does. This make or break season must be when he begins to blossom into the star he was drafted to be.
He does not need to be an MVP candidate, but he does need to perform. Otherwise, serious questions start to follow.
But I do not anticipate those questions being raised. Crews is hungry. The talent exists. And in 2026, DC will bring joy back to DC.
2026 Season Predictions: .271/.335/.434 (.769 OPS), 19 HR, 78 RBI, 28 SB