In a strategic move to bolster their young and controllable talent, the Washington Nationals are set to promote highly-touted prospect Dylan Crews, according to Grant Paulsen of MLB Network Radio on X. Crews, a 22-year-old outfielder, will make his highly anticipated major league debut when the Nationals face off against the New York Yankees on Monday.

Although not currently on the club's 40-man roster, Crews' promotion comes at an opportune time, as the Nationals already have a vacant spot available. Barring any last-minute roster changes over the weekend, only a corresponding active roster move will be necessary to accommodate the young outfielder.

Dylan Crews emerged as a standout player during his college career at Louisiana State, showcasing remarkable hitting prowess at the plate. After being selected with the second overall pick in last year's draft, Crews wasted no time making an impact in his professional career. In various levels of play, including the Complex League, Single-A, and Double-A, he boasted an impressive slash line of .292/.377/.467 in 159 plate appearances, with a weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of 135.

Heading into the 2024 season, Crews had already cemented his status as one of the top ten prospects in the sport. The Nationals initially started him at the Double-A level, where he played 51 games and maintained a solid slash line of .274/.343/.446, accumulating a wRC+ of 122 while stealing an impressive 15 bases. Subsequently promoted to Triple-A, Crews continued to excel, participating in 48 games and producing a notable line of .271/.343/.464, with a wRC+ of 108, and stealing an additional 10 bases.

Apart from his remarkable offensive contributions, Crews is highly regarded for his strong defensive capabilities. While the Nationals have experimented with playing him in the corners, Crews is primarily seen as a future fixture in center field due to his exceptional skills. His ability to make an impact in various aspects of the game has solidified his reputation as one of the most promising prospects in the sport.

Crews' talent has not gone unnoticed by experts in the field. Baseball America ranks him fourth overall, with James Wood, another player from the Nationals organization, taking the top spot. FanGraphs places him sixth, while MLB Pipeline ranks him third, ESPN ranks him twelfth, and Keith Law of The Athletic ranks him seventh among the top prospects.

The Nationals have been in a rebuilding phase for the past few years, gradually assembling a core of young and controllable talent. Alongside Dylan Crews, the Nationals boast other promising players such as shortstop CJ Abrams and pitcher MacKenzie Gore. With a current record of 58-70, well out of contention, the Nationals can now focus on giving opportunities to their young players and helping them adapt to the demands of the major leagues.

Significantly, Crews' promotion at this stage of the season aligns with the Nationals' desire to preserve his rookie status for 2025. To maintain rookie status, a position player must spend less than 45 days on an active roster or log fewer than 130 at-bats. With less than 45 days remaining in the 2024 season, the Nationals plan to carefully manage Crews' playing time to prevent him from reaching the 130 at-bat threshold.

Preserving Crews' rookie status also holds significant incentives for the Nationals. The collective bargaining agreement offers clubs the opportunity to earn an additional draft pick if they promote a top prospect for a full season and that player goes on to win Rookie of the Year or meets other awards voting criteria. By keeping Crews as a rookie for 2025, the Nationals position themselves to potentially reap the rewards if he becomes a permanent fixture on their roster next year.

Looking ahead, the Nationals face an interesting dilemma in terms of outfield deployment. Jacob Young, known for his exemplary defensive skills in center field, has struggled offensively with a slash line of .248/.308/.318 and a wRC+ of 79 this season. However, Young leads all fielders in Outs Above Average (OAA) and ranks third among center fielders in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). With this in mind, the Nationals may opt for a lineup consisting of James Wood in left field, Jacob Young in center, and Dylan Crews in right. Alternatively, they could choose to utilize Alex Call in right field and move Young into a fourth outfielder role. Call has had a strong season, slashing .347/.429/.531 in 112 plate appearances.

Ultimately, the Nationals' promotion of Dylan Crews marks another milestone in their ongoing effort to build a young core around which they can shape their future competitive window. With a relatively clean payroll slate following the conclusion of Patrick Corbin's contract this season, the Nationals could become intriguing players in the upcoming offseason. However, their willingness to make significant moves may depend on the performance of their young players in the remaining games of the current season.