In a surprising move, the Washington Nationals optioned outfielder Dylan Crews to Triple-A Rochester on Friday afternoon. Crews, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, struggled this spring and hit .103 with a .309 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.
The Nationals also optioned 2019 first-round pick Jackson Rutledge to Rochester.
The decision to option Crews continues what has been a rocky start to the 24-year-old outfielder’s professional career.
Crews was one of the best hitters in college baseball in 2023 and earned the Gold Spikes Award before the Nationals took him in the draft. Washington fast tracked him to the big leagues and Crews debuted in August 2024 after playing just 135 minor league games. But Crews never found his footing at the big league level, batting .211 with a .634 OPS in 116 major league games.
Yesterday, the Nationals optioned outfielder Robert Hassell III, another former top prospect. Crews’ demotion leaves five outfielders remaining in the Nationals’ big league camp: Christian Franklin, Daylen Lile, James Wood, Jacob Young and Joey Wiemer.