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Top Washington Nationals Draft Pick Dylan Crews Blasts Grand Slam in Minors

Originally posted on FanNation Fastball | By Sam Connon | Last updated 8/9/23

It hasn't taken long for outfielder Dylan Crews, the No. 2 overall pick in this year's MLB Draft, to adjust to professional baseball.

Crews continued his red-hot start in the Washington Nationals' minor league system Tuesday, going 4-for-4 with a grand slam in the Fredericksburg Nationals' 11-2 win over the Lynchburg Hillcats, the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. It marked the second game in a row in which Crews hit a home run.

The 6-foot, 205-pound prospect went opposite field for the grand slam as well, showing off his ability to spray with power.

Through four games in Single-A and Rookie ball, Crews is batting .444 with a 1.307 OPS. He has also yet to make an error across 33 innings in the outfield.

Crews was pegged as a top-five prospect in baseball the moment he signed a $9 million deal with the Nationals in July. Across three seasons and 196 games at LSU, Crews hit .380 with 58 home runs, 184 RBI, 23 stolen bases, 152 walks, 146 strikeouts and an 1.187 OPS.

The 21-year-old outfielder won the Golden Spikes Award after hitting .426 with the Tigers this spring, helping his team win the College World Series in June.

Washington has boasted several elite hitting prospects over the past decade plus, from Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon to Juan Soto and Victor Robles. Crews has already established himself in that camp, and his early minor league production suggests he could transfer that star power to the majors when he finally arrives.

Crews already has an MLB ETA of 2024, meaning he could go from the Fredericksburg Nationals to the Washington Nationals in less than a year.

This article first appeared on FanNation Fastball and was syndicated with permission.

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