Nationals top prospect OF Dylan Crews in lineup, batting second Monday

Top prospect Dylan Crews is in the Washington Nationals' starting lineup on Monday for the opener of a three-game series with the visiting New York Yankees.

Crews is batting second and playing right field in the lineup the Nationals shared at 3:20 p.m. ET on Monday.

"I'm excited," Crews said during a press conference on Monday. "It's a kid's dream to put on a major league uniform and go out there and compete. It's going to be a special day."

After days of rumblings that the move might be coming, Crews was officially called up from Triple-A Rochester on Monday, one day after Washington optioned catcher Riley Adams to the minor league club to make room for the 22-year-old.

According to MLB Pipeline, Crews is the No. 1 prospect in the Nationals' organization. He is also rated as the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball. Baseball America ranks Crews No. 4 overall among prospects and the No. 1 defensive outfielder.

Crews, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 draft, started the season at Double-A Harrisburg before getting promoted to Triple-A. In 100 games between both minor league levels, Crews hit .270 with 13 home runs, 68 RBIs and 25 stolen bases.

Crews becomes the eighth Washington prospect to play in his first major league game this year.

"I think we've got a great group of guys in this organization right now," Crews said. "You've seen it in our minor league system. ... We're always winning and trying to get better every single day."

The Nationals head into Monday's meeting with New York carrying a 59-72 record, 11 1/2 games removed from the third and final National League wild-card spot.

--Field Level Media