Saturday, February 22

Welcome to the Spring Training edition of the Nationals Beat newsletter! This is your stop for the latest on and off the field, from news to exclusive player interviews and insights, brought to you by MLB.com club reporter Jessica Camerato.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Dylan Crews already knew baseball at an elite level when he arrived at Nationals camp last season. What he would learn through experience is baseball at the Major League level.

Crews is in his second big league Spring Training -- this time, with his debut in the rearview mirror and a full season with the Nats ahead. 

“Last year was kind of like a year where I was trying to figure out routines and everything, just figuring out what I need to do to be a part of the team, really,” Crews, 22, said on Tuesday. “But I feel like this year, I have a good feeling of what to do and how the whole thing operates. Now, it's just full go from here. I know what to expect and what I’ve got to do to be prepared for the season.” 

Crews, ranked as MLB’s No. 4 prospect by MLB Pipeline, is slated to return to the starting right-field role this season. The former 2023 No. 2 overall pick out of LSU debuted on Aug. 26 and appeared in 31 games in ‘24. 

“He’s going to play exceptional defense, he runs the bases well, so I’m looking forward to getting him here for hopefully the whole year and seeing what he can do,” manager Dave Martinez said. “He definitely is going to help us win games.” 

In 119 at-bats last season on the Nats, Crews hit .218 with 12 runs scored, five doubles, one triple, three home runs, eight RBIs and 12 stolen bases. He recorded 26 strikeouts to 11 walks. 

This offseason, Crews focused on his swing, getting the ball in the zone and accepting his free bases. 

“I was in there every day,” Crews said. “... I finished the year last year at around 190 [pounds], I’m around 205 right now. With hitting, [I] really focused on staying down on the baseball and not trying to come up on the baseball, trying to just stay down and through the baseball. I worked on everything, really, from hitting to outfield to running even, trying to increase some speed and stay flexible.” 

Crews was part of a large group of top prospects who earned invitations to Major League Spring Training last year. He appreciates the lessons he learned as an eager newcomer in camp. 

“Don’t put so much pressure on yourself because it’s Spring Training,” Crews said. “Everybody's here working, everybody’s working out, trying to get better. So just having a good time with it, joking around, having fun with the guys, and going out there and just trying to work and get better and get ready for the year."

Last spring, the buzz in camp was not if but when Crews would make his Major League debut during the season. With that milestone accomplished, he can focus on a full season in Washington.  

“It feels great,” Crews said. “Knowing where I'm going to be from the start, it helps out a whole lot. You can get your mind right and start visualizing what it's going to be like, and just really get excited for Opening Day.”  

Martinez imparted on his young club at the first full-squad workout that the future they had been looking toward for years has arrived. 

“I hear a lot about how our core guys are going to be really good and they’re coming -- I don’t really want to hear that anymore,” Martinez said. “I told them today, ‘We’re here. These are the core guys. These are the guys we anticipated would be here. You guys are here. You’ve got your feet wet. It’s time to go out there and perform every day and go 1-0 every day.’ 

“That’s the gist of it. I want to win, and I let them know today that’s what we’re here for. We’re here to win games and play good, competitive baseball every day.”  

The Nationals are emphasizing the fundamentals in Spring Training, with defense and swing decisions highlighted by the coaching staff. 

“We need to be fundamentally sound to do what we want to do, and that’s to play meaningful games in September,” Martinez said. “That’s what I’m striving for. If we can do that, anything can happen. And I think this group can do it.”

This weekend kicks off Youth Sports Sunday at CACTI Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

This special event for children ages 12 and under includes: an opportunity to walk around the warning track in a pregame parade, an autograph session with Nationals players and running the bases postgame. 

Youth Sports Sundays are scheduled to take place this Sunday vs. Mets, March 2 vs. Astros and March 23 vs. Astros.

Friday: Photo day at CACTI Ballpark of the Palm Beaches

Saturday: Spring Training opener at Astros

Sunday: Spring Training home opener vs. Mets

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