Rising star Dylan Crews looks to lead Nationals against Marlins

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Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews is showing why he's ranked the No. 1 prospect in baseball.

The 2023 winner of the Golden Spikes Award, which is bestowed to the best amateur player in the United States, Crews didn't make his major league debut until Aug. 26. But the 22-year-old already is wowing people with not only his offense but his defense.

Crews made a highlight-reel leaping catch in front of the wall in right on a Connor Norby drive in the first inning of Friday night's 4-1 victory over the visiting Miami Marlins that evened the four-game series at a game apiece. Then he beat out what looked like a routine grounder to short to lead off the bottom of the inning, stole second and third, and eventually scored on an error.

In the first two games of the series, which continues with a Saturday afternoon contest, Crews is 3-for-8 with two runs, three stolen bases and a Gold Glove-caliber catch.

"Crews in right is killing us," Miami manager Skip Schumaker said. "That kid is a special player. Doing what he's doing at such a young age ... I mean, I watched him (playing) in college last year."

The Nationals selected Crews with the second overall pick in 2023, right behind his LSU teammate, pitcher Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Washington manager Dave Martinez is happy to have Crews on the big league roster.

"He plays the game the right way," Martinez said, adding he thought Crews' hustle single "fired the guys up.

"I mean, that's a routine ground ball that he hustled down the line and he beat it out. The guys were really chirping that inning. And then it's a trickle effect. I watched all the guys running really hard down the line after he did it, so it was awesome."

Crews is batting .242 this season with three homers and eight RBIs in 62 at-bats and has eight stolen bases. He looks as if he might be a foundational piece for the rebuilding Nationals.

"The way he plays, the way some of these other guys play, that's what we're looking for," Martinez said. "When he plays like that, I think it motivates the other guys to do the same thing. It really does. I love it. I tell him don't change who you are no matter what. You could be 1-for-30 or 30-for-30; you just keep running the bases like that."

Washington, which improved to 9-2 this season against Miami with Friday night's win, will turn to veteran left-hander Patrick Corbin (5-13, 5.60 ERA) to start Saturday's game. Corbin is 6-7 with a 4.17 ERA in 20 career starts against the Marlins. He has won three of his last four starts, including a 6-2 victory at Miami on Sept. 3.

The Marlins will counter with rookie right-hander Valente Bellozo (2-3, 3.57 ERA), who will make his 11th major league start. It will be Bellozo's second start against Washington. He didn't get a decision in a 4-3 victory over the Nationals on Sept. 4 in Miami despite allowing just three hits over six shutout innings.

--Field Level Media