Dylan Crews Starting to Find His Groove with the Rochester Red Wings

(Rochester, NY) - Before the Rochester Red Wings opened their season in Jacksonville, Dylan Crews talked about what he wanted to change heading into 2026. Crews said he needed to “have a narrower approach to the strike zone,” adding that he wanted to “keep things as calm as possible and keep my head still.” He made it clear that focusing on those fundamentals was his top priority, adding, “We’re just going to focus on that this time around and hopefully everything works out.”

Nine games into the season, Crews has appeared in eight. So how has the Washington Nationals’ top outfield prospect performed so far?

In the opening series against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Crews collected two hits in 11 at-bats, hitting .182. Despite the modest average, he showed a more disciplined approach at the plate, drawing three walks in the first two games—evidence that his strike-zone focus was improving.

The next three contests, spanning the finale in Jacksonville and the first two against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, were tougher. Crews went hitless in 10 at-bats with one walk and four strikeouts. It was the kind of early-season test that challenges a young hitter, but Crews didn’t let it shake his confidence. Reflecting on the stretch, he said, “It’s all part of my journey. I’m going to attack it, and I’m going to get better every single day.”

That mindset has been consistent since his college days focus on process over results. Observers at Rochester’s Performance Center could likely find him putting in extra work between games, aiming to refine his timing and rhythm at the plate.

When the Red Wings returned home, Crews quickly reminded everyone why he’s one of baseball’s most promising young hitters. In Friday’s game against Scranton, he came up to bat in the first inning after Rochester had fallen behind 1–0. He ripped a hard line drive that sounded different—loud, sharp, and clean. Left fielder Duke Ellis robbed him of extra bases with a diving grab, but the contact was a clear sign that Crews’ swing was returning to form.

In his next at-bat, there was no denying the result. Crews crushed a ball over the left-field fence for a 402-foot home run, coming off the bat at 107.2 mph with a 27-degree launch angle, tying the game at one. He finished the night with two hits and two runs scored Rochester’s only offense in a 4–2 loss.

The next game, Crews kept the momentum rolling with two more hits, including a double, and drove in two runs. After resting on Saturday, he returned Sunday and went 1-for-4, marking his third straight game with an extra-base hit.

Through his first five games, Crews was hitting just .118 with a .286 on-base percentage. After his recent hot stretch, those numbers have climbed to a .250 average and a .371 OBP an improvement of 132 points in batting average and 85 in OBP. Over his last three games alone, Crews is slashing .455/.500, proof that his adjustments at the plate are taking hold.

Despite the recent success, patience remains essential. Crews is still developing, and the consistent at-bats and lower-pressure environment in Triple-A Rochester are exactly what he needs to refine his game.

Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy said on Media Day that Crews “is a premier talent that, once he gets going, will probably never be back in the minor leagues.” That confidence in his potential underscores just how high the expectations are—but also how important his time in Rochester will be for long-term success.

Crews knows that, too. He said recently, “This is all part of my journey, and it’s just the start.”

As the Rochester Red Wings head to Lehigh Valley, all eyes will be on Dylan Crews to see if this hot streak continues and whether his disciplined approach can carry him deeper into what could be a breakout season.