Dylan Crews made his MLB debut Monday night for the Washington Nationals. His call up came just over a year after becoming a college baseball national champion at LSU.
Four years after forgoing the MLB draft to play for the Tigers, Crews started his first game in the major leagues. After gaining legendary status in Baton Rouge for his historic talent and 2023 championship run, Crews rose through the minor leagues, eventually joining his former teammate Paul Skenes in the MLB.
When asked how he mentally prepared for such a big moment, Crews was calm but confident.
“There’s always going to be four bases and two foul poles. I’m going out there and playing my game.”
Monday night Crews went 0-3 with a groundout, strikeout, flyout and walk. Crews played right field, where he was freshman year at LSU. The Nationals lost 5-2 to the New York Yankees.
Despite an uneventful first game, the support was significant.
LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson flew out Monday for the game and spoke very highly of his former player.
“I would go as far as to say he’s the reason I accepted the job at LSU, knowing that I would be able to coach him for two years,” Johnson said in an interview with NBC.
Johnson said Crews may be the best position player in college baseball history.
In addition to support from his old coach, Crews received a video message from Jayden Daniels, soon to make his NFL debut in the same city.
At LSU, Crews tied the single season hits record among Tigers, matching Brandon Larson’s 110 in 1997. His .426 batting average also earned him the second best in school history.
Crews was one of the top names in nearly every hitting stat while on his way to being named 2023 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, Male SEC Athlete of the Year and Golden Spikes winner. Most importantly to Crews and Tiger fans everywhere, he helped LSU win their first College World Series in 14 years.
After being taken back-to-back with former LSU pitcher Paul Skenes in the MLB draft, Crews, much like his old teammate, flew through the minor leagues.
Crews was playing in Double-A games for the Harrisburg Senators this time last year and made his Triple-A debut with the Rochester Red Wings in June. Throughout his time in the minors he had 18 home runs, 97 RBIs and a .275 batting average.
Now both in the MLB, a duel between Crews and Skenes could soon take shape when the Nationals play the Pirates in a series that starts Sept. 5.
The LSU phenom, fittingly nicknamed D.C., has taken the first step in what many expect to be a fruitful major league career.