In an eventful weekend at the All-Star Futures Game, Washington Nationals prospect Dylan Crews took center stage as he fielded questions from a swarm of reporters at his locker. The No. 2 pick in the 2023 MLB draft, Crews has been making rapid strides towards the major leagues just 12 months after being selected.

However, the reporters were not just interested in Crews' own performance on the field; they were eager to discuss the achievements of his former LSU teammate, Paul Skenes. Skenes, who was last year's first pick and now plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has been named the starting pitcher for the National League in the upcoming All-Star Game. This makes him the first rookie in 30 years to earn this honor.

Crews shared his excitement for Skenes' success, stating, "I'm very happy for him. He deserves everything... I'm not surprised at all that he's starting." The bond between Crews and Skenes dates back to their collegiate days, where Crews hit his first home run off Skenes when he was pitching for Air Force. Their paths crossed again when Skenes transferred to LSU, and both players were touted as top picks in the draft.

While Skenes made an immediate impact in the big leagues with a strong debut performance and an impressive 1.90 ERA in his first 11 starts, Crews has been making his mark in the minor leagues. Currently playing for Class AAA Rochester, Crews is hitting .253 with a .713 OPS in his first 20 games. Despite witnessing fellow Nationals prospect James Wood making his debut in recent weeks, Crews remains focused and unfazed.

"There's no pressure to it. Whenever my time is, my time is," Crews confidently stated. He emphasized the importance of staying present and focused, a lesson he learned during his college years that helped him handle pressure and expectations.

Crews' development in the minor leagues has seen improvements in his power and discipline at the plate, evident in his three home runs and reduced strikeout rate since joining Rochester. Insiders within the Nationals' organization believe Crews is close to being MLB-ready, potentially making his debut this year or entering spring training in 2025 with a clear path to the big leagues.

While Crews acknowledges the talent and impact of his teammate Wood, he remains eager for his turn to shine in the majors. "He's doing his thing up there. And whenever my time is to be there, I'll be ready for it," Crews expressed.

As Crews and Skenes continue to garner attention and make their mark in the baseball world, their success highlights the strength of their former collegiate program at LSU and the promise of their respective careers. Baseball fans eagerly await the day when these former teammates reunite on the same field, this time as opponents in the major leagues.