(ROCHESTER, NY) - The Washington Nationals will kick off their 2026 season in Chicago this afternoon, but one young star won’t be joining them at least, not yet. Instead, outfielder Dylan Crews will be in Jacksonville on Friday night, starting for the Rochester Red Wings as he takes the next step in what he calls “part of my journey.”
Speaking to reporters with calm confidence, the 2023 No. 2 overall pick showed exactly why many inside the Nationals organization still view him as a cornerstone of their future.
“It’s been tough obviously not what I wanted,” Crews said in an interview with The Nats Report at Rochester Red Wings Media Day. “But this is all part of my journey. Everyone’s path is different, and I’m going to attack this and get to work every single day.”
The move to AAA isn’t about talent: it’s about timing. After a full season in the majors, Crews’ bat hadn’t quite matched expectations. In 412 at-bats with Washington, he posted a .211 average, a .282 on-base percentage, and a .634 OPS. He also struck out 102 times with just 35 walks, numbers that signaled a need for adjustments and renewed focus at the plate.
The Nationals view Rochester as the right environment for him to make those changes without the pressures of a big-league spotlight. “I need to narrow my approach to the strike zone,” Crews explained. “It’s not about swinging less, but about getting a pitch I can drive. Keep my head still, stay calm, and focus on the zone.”
While being sent down can be deflating for some players, Crews has attacked the challenge with maturity. He says this spring under Washington’s new coaching staff felt different faster, tougher, and built around accountability. “Spring Training was definitely more intense this year,” he said. “The coaches wanted us to fail, to see how we responded. They pushed us beyond our comfort zones, and I think that’s what great teams do.”
Crews has also embraced the Nationals’ new reliance on analytics and technology. “They’re tracking everything now hit trajectories, exit velocity, bat paths even in the cages,” he explained. “We’ve got HitTrax setups in Rochester, too. It’s incredible to have that data to guide adjustments in real time.”
Manager Matt LeCroy, who has a strong track record of helping top prospects find their form, believes the move is a temporary and necessary step. “It’s the right call,” LeCroy said. “Once Dylan gets hot, I don’t think he’ll be here long. He’s a premier talent, and when everything clicks, he’ll stay in the majors for good.”
Baseball journeys are rarely linear, and Crews knows that better than most. The emotions of being sent down can test any player, but instead of frustration, he’s using it as motivation. “It’s not what I wanted, but I understand why they did it,” he said. “Like I said, it’s part of my journey. I’m going to keep attacking every day, keep improving, and I know I’ll be back in D.C. soon.”
For a Nationals franchise centered on developing its next generation of stars — including Crews, James Wood, and Brady House this moment is about growth, not setback. At just 24, Dylan Crews has time, talent, and the kind of mindset that turns disappointment into drive. Rochester is simply the next chapter in a story that feels far from finished.