Crews firing on all cylinders at dish for FredNats

You've heard of a one-man wrecking crew. Now consider, a one-man wrecking ... Crews.

Collecting three hits and four RBIs, top-ranked Nationals prospect Dylan Crews helped Single-A Fredericksburg to a convincing 11-3 victory over Augusta on Saturday night at Virginia Credit Union Stadium.

While there was initially a learning curve to the pro game for Crews -- like the new crowd atmosphere and wooden bats -- it wasn't anything the outfielder couldn't handle.

“Honestly, I feel great at the plate right now,” Crews said last week. “It took me a few games to kind of get acclimated, but my swings have been good."

• From a vacant warehouse to LSU to ... No. 2 Draft pick: Meet Dylan Crews

It was in the seventh inning when Crews really shined. He clobbered the first pitch of his at-bat the other way, jogging around the bags for the fifth time in his pro career.

After a pair of ground outs early, MLB’s No. 4 overall prospect came up to bat in the fourth inning to face Braves prospect Landon Harper and drove an 0-1 pitch to center field for a single. In the next at-bat, No. 7 Nationals prospect Yohandy Morales -- selected in the second round of the '23 Draft -- sent Crews home on a triple.

Crews' next at-bat came in the sixth with the bases loaded. Down in the count 0-1 again, he hit a grounder to center to plate a pair. The 21-year-old came around to score as part of Fredericksburg's five-run frame.

While Crews has been a force on offense with the Nationals' Single-A affiliate, he also flashed some leather in the second, keeping Augusta off the board.

"What can't he do?"

MLB's No. 4 prospect Dylan Crews (@Nationals) goes full extension to take away a hit for the @FXBGNats: pic.twitter.com/amvWbiOVU7

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 19, 2023

After just 13 appearances with the FredNats, Crews has racked up 24 RBIs to go along with five dingers, slashing .351/.424/.649. Saturday marked his fifth multihit game in that span, and fourth with at least three RBIs.