Nationals option former top prospect Crews after poor spring

The Washington Nationals demoted outfielder Dylan Crews to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Crews was projected to be on the Opening Day roster before having a poor spring in which he went 3-for-29 with zero homers and 11 strikeouts across 12 games.

Crews, whom Washington selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft behind LSU teammate Paul Skenes, was the team's top prospect in 2024 and 2025.

The 24-year-old has gone deep 13 times with 35 RBIs, 29 stolen bases, and a .634 OPS in 116 games with the Nationals since debuting in 2024. He's dealt with multiple injuries as well.

Washington also optioned right-hander Jackson Rutledge, who was ranked as high as No. 11 among the club's prospects in 2023.