Dylan Crews

Early life

Crews was born in Altamonte Springs, Florida, and attended Lake Mary High School. He played for USA Baseball on their 14U and 18U teams, the latter winning a gold medal. As a junior in 2019, he batted .389 with 15 stolen bases and played in the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game. His senior season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he withdrew from the 2020 MLB draft to attend Louisiana State University.

College career

Crews started as LSU's right fielder as a freshman in 2021, batting .362 with 18 home runs (a freshman record) and earning All-American honors and Perfect Game's National Freshman of the Year award. He shifted to center field in 2022, posting a .349/.463/.691 slash line with 22 home runs and 72 RBI, and was named co-SEC Player of the Year. In 2023, he batted .426 with 18 homers and 70 RBI, leading LSU to the College World Series title and winning SEC Player of the Year again. He was projected as a top draft pick by several outlets, though rankings varied.

Professional career

Crews signed with the Nationals for a $9 million bonus after being drafted second overall in 2023. He debuted in the Florida Complex League, then moved to Single-A Fredericksburg, where he slashed .355/.423/.645, and later to Double-A Harrisburg, finishing the year with a combined .292/.377/.467 line. In 2024, he began at Harrisburg, hitting .274/.343/.446 before a promotion to Triple-A Rochester. He was called up to the majors on August 26, 2024, making his debut against the New York Yankees.

His first hit was a double off Gerrit Cole, and his first home run came off Carlos Rodón. He ended 2024 batting .218 with three home runs and was ranked the #1 prospect by MLB Pipeline. In 2025, he started as Washington's right fielder, hitting .196 before a left oblique strain placed him on the injured list from May to August. He finished the season with a .208/.280/.352 slash line, 10 home runs, and 17 stolen bases.

Player profile

Crews has been described as a plus hitter with plus power and a quick right-handed stroke, though he tends to whiff on changeups. He is considered an at least average outfielder with arm strength and fly-ball tracking ability, with potential to play center field at the major league level. He has been called a five-tool player, and his college coach compared his preparedness to that of DJ LeMahieu and Alex Bregman.