Dylan Crews, the second overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, has struggled to establish himself with the Washington Nationals since his debut. After a promising college career at LSU, Crews produced disappointing numbers in Major League Baseball (MLB), raising concerns about his performance and potential. Despite flashes of talent, ongoing issues with pitch recognition and a high ground-ball rate have hindered his progress. While time remains for Crews to adjust and develop, his production thus far has sparked questions about his trajectory as a player.

By the Numbers
  • Crews has a .218/.288/.353 slash line in 31 MLB games.
  • In Triple-A, he has a .258/.345/.432 line with a 24.9% strikeout rate.
Yes, But

Concerns exist over Crews' pitch recognition and discipline, as evidenced by a 37.6% chase rate and a stark contrast in performance when ahead versus behind in counts. These issues could hinder his future development if not addressed.

State of Play
  • Crews has shown improvement with a 38.9% ground-ball rate since returning to MLB.
  • His zone-contact rate stands at 85.9%, slightly above league average, indicating he can make contact when pitches are in the strike zone.
What's Next

If Crews can improve his plate discipline and make necessary adjustments to hit more line drives and fly balls, he may tap into his potential. Continued work on pitch recognition, particularly against breaking balls, will be vital for his success.

Bottom Line

Though challenges remain, there's reason for cautious optimism regarding Dylan Crews. With a few key adjustments, he could emerge as a significant contributor for the Nationals and fulfill the promise that earned him the second overall draft pick.