Everything you need to know ahead of Crews’ Nats debut
WASHINGTON — Add a new name to the headliners in the Nationals-Yankees series this week at Nationals Park. Dylan Crews will be making his Major League debut.
Crews’ arrival to the Nats has been highly anticipated since he was selected out of LSU with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 Draft, Washington’s highest selection since Bryce Harper (No. 1) in 2010. He’s the Nationals’ No. 1 ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, and No. 3 in all of baseball.
Here are some key questions and answers about the talented 22-year-old outfielder.
How can you watch the game?
Monday’s Nationals vs. Yankees game begins at 6:45 p.m. ET. It will be shown on MASN and can be heard on 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7. For tickets to the game, click here.
What position will Crews play?
Crews has played center field and right field in the Minor Leagues. He is likely to play right on the Nationals, with James Wood in left field and Jacob Young contending for a Gold Glove in center field. Crews had a .929 fielding percentage in eight games in right for Triple-A Rochester this season.
Who will have to move in the outfield to make room?
Alex Call has been starting in right field since Lane Thomas was traded to the Guardians. Call is swinging the bat well, slashing .347/.429/.531 in 29 games entering Friday, so the Nats could tab him as a fourth outfielder and make another roster move — such as optioning a younger player to Rochester — to create space for Crews.
Why is this happening now?
Crews has been expected to make his debut in 2024 since he was drafted last year. Because this is his first full season in the pros, he first gained experience playing in Double-A and Triple-A. The Nats have gotten James Wood acclimated to the Majors for the past two months, and now Crews will join him in a promising, young outfield. It is late enough in the season that, even if he remains in the Majors for the rest of the year, he will retain rookie eligibility for 2025.
Will Crews play every day?
Yes. The remaining games of the 2024 season will be a great opportunity for Crews to see Major League pitching and enhance the chemistry with his teammates for ‘25.
Are there any special promotions for Crews’ debut?
TBD
How did Crews get here?
The Nationals selected Crews with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of LSU. Crews was a national collegiate champion and the recipient of the 2023 Golden Spikes Award for best amateur baseball player in the United States. He skipped the High-A level last season, participated in Major League Spring Training and played in Double-A and Triple-A this season.Jul 2, 2024