Dylan Crews and James Wood are one step away from the Major Leagues—together.
Crews (the Nationals’ No. 2 prospect and MLB’s No. 6) was promoted from Double-A Harrisburg to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday. He joins Wood (the Nationals’ top prospect and fourth overall), who has been with the Red Wings this season and was activated from the injured list on the same day.
“We got this far by not rushing these guys, and we’re going to keep doing that and making sure they’re ready,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said on Tuesday. “The important thing is to grab them and keep them up here. For me, that’s significant. I’ve been really looking forward to seeing these folks all winter.”
Crews, the No. 2 overall choice in the 2023 Draft, was promoted to the Red Wings after slashing during his first full season of professional baseball.In 51 games with the Senators, he hit 274/.343/.446 with a.789 OPS and had 11 doubles, three triples, five home runs, 38 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases.
Wood had an impressive debut in Triple-A, earning International League Player of the Month honors. He hit.355/.465/.596 with a 1.061 OPS, 13 doubles, nine home runs, 31 RBIs, and ten stolen bases in 45 games before being placed on the injured list on May 28 with a left hamstring strain.
Crews made his Red Wings debut on Tuesday night, playing center field and going 0 for 5. Wood played left field and went 0-for-2 with a walk in his return.
“They get to watch each other play,” Martinez explained. “For me, when you have two men with that much potential, I’d expect them to push each other a little bit. When you’re down there, you’re constantly competing — not only with the opposing team, but also with your teammates, to push them to improve.”
Crews and Wood are building on the foundation they established in Spring Training. They were among the Nationals’ top prospects who attended major league camp. The organization wanted the emerging group to develop chemistry, so they spent over a month in West Palm Beach, Fla., with third baseman Brady House (the Nationals’ No. 3 prospect and MLB’s No. 36), outfielder Robert Hassell III (the Nationals’ No. 8 prospect), and infielders Trey Lipscomb (No. 16) and Darren Baker (No. 23).
“They’re going to play side-by-side to each other, so it will be fun to keep up and watch those guys,” Martinez told the crowd. “… They’re an important part of our future here, and the future is looking well. The fact that they’re at the top level of the Minor Leagues just indicates that they’re getting near.
Lile receives Double-A promotion.
With Crews promoted from the Senators, Harrisburg called up outfielder Daylen Lile (No. 7) from High-A Wilmington.
Lile batted.271 with three home runs, 24 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases in 57 games with the Blue Rocks.
“I love him,” Martinez stated. “I’ve known the kid’s love for playing when I first saw him. He plays the game the right way: he smashes the ball hard, plays excellent defense, and runs the bases very well.
“I’m proud that he’s already advancing to Double-A. He’s a young guy, but he’s in Double-A and wants to go up here.”
Martinez also expressed satisfaction that Lile will play alongside No. 17 prospect Andrew Pinckney in the Blue Rocks’ outfield.
