Crews hammers his first pro homer for FredNats
That didn't take long. Dylan Crews, the No. 2 overall pick of this year's Draft, who drilled 58 home runs over three seasons at Louisiana State, belted his first dinger as a member of the Washington Nationals organization on Sunday. The long ball -- estimated at 416 feet with a
That didn't take long.
Dylan Crews, the No. 2 overall pick of this year's Draft, who drilled 58 home runs over three seasons at Louisiana State, belted his first dinger as a member of the Washington Nationals organization on Sunday. The long ball -- estimated at 416 feet with a 105 mph exit velocity -- came in his ninth professional plate appearance and third pro game, second with Single-A Fredericksburg.
"I just saw a breaking ball up, and was able to get to it," Crews said. "I wasn't really trying to do anything special with it. Just trying to get to the pitch, and was able to hit one out. So it felt good. It felt really good."
Crews comes into the pro game with a 70-grade hit tool and 60-grade power. The 21-year-old outfielder agreed to terms with the Nationals (for $9 million, the second-highest bonus for a drafted player all-time) on July 23. The pressure that might come with that kind of money, however, is a non-issue in Crews' view.
"I've dealt with pressure my whole life, so it's nothing new to me," Crews said. "I see pressure as a privilege, and I use it to my strength. I go out there and just do me at the end of the day. I know how to handle it."
Between his signing and his first professional home run, he debuted with a 3-for-3 showing in the Florida Complex League on Thursday.
Promoted to the Single-A Carolina League, Crews went 0-for-5 with a strikeout against the Salem Red Sox on Saturday, then did an about-face with the jack that put the FredNats on the board in the opening inning Sunday. He drew a lesson from that success.
"Swinging at my pitches, not trying to expand," Crews said. "I'm trying to get one percent better every day, really. It's a work in progress, you know, trying to get acclimated. Just going back to the basics, seeing the baseball, and driving through the middle of the field."
Crews' home run was not the only first that meant something to him during Fredericksburg's 8-5 win over the Salem Red Sox. His fellow Louisiana State University teammate and College World Series champion Gavin Dugas also chipped in with a homer of his own in the fifth frame for the Nationals.
"You can't draw it up any better," Crews said. "I'm so happy for that kid. That kid deserves everything, and he's one of the hardest workers I've ever seen. I'm very happy for him, and I'm very excited to be able to share this moment with him. It was a great day for us."
Josh Jackson is an editor for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter @JoshJacksonMiLB. Evan Desai is a contributor for MiLB.com.
Cruz Drives Home Four as Erie Wins Fifth Straight
The SeaWolves (37-17) drew 11 walks and beat Richmond (15-39) 12-4 for their fifth straight win. In the bottom of the first inning, Erie loaded the bases against Manuel Mercedes. With two out, Eliezer Alfonzo drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 1-0. Chris Meyers followed with a two-run single
SeaWolves Partner with Erie News Now to Broadcast 10 Games Locally
The SeaWolves are pleased to announce a new partnership with Erie News Now to air 10 SeaWolves games on ENN+, the station’s digital streaming and over-the-air platform. The first live telecast will be Saturday, June 7 at 6 PM as the SeaWolves host the Richmond Flying Squirrels at UPMC Park.
SeaWolves Announce 2025 Chace Numata Scholarship Winners
The Erie SeaWolves, Double-A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, are pleased to announce that 14 Erie-area varsity high school baseball and softball players are the recipients of the 2025 Chace Numata Scholarship. Each of the four (4) following students will receive a $1,500 college scholarship: Heath Betza, Harbor Creek Owen
Valencia Smacks Two Homers and Holton Finishes a Wild Walk-Off Win
The SeaWolves (36-17) erased a pair of late deficits to walk off Richmond (15-38) 7-6 on Wednesday. Richmond struck for an early run when Carter Howell hit a solo homer against Erie starter Joseph Montalvo in the first inning. In the third inning, Erie rallied to tie against Richmond starter
Liranzo Homers in Third Straight as Erie Beats Squirrels
The SeaWolves (35-17) opened the series with Richmond (15-37) with an 8-3 win. Erie opened the scoring in the first inning when Thayron Liranzo connected on a two-run homer against Richmond starter Joe Whitman. Liranzo has homered in three consecutive games. Richmond got a run back against Erie starter Austin
Liranzo and Valencia's Blasts Lead Erie to Series Win
The SeaWolves (34-17) clinched a series win with their ninth shutout win of the season, beating Reading (18-31) 5-0 on Sunday. The game remained scoreless in large part due to Garrett Burhenn’s five scoreless innings for Erie. Burhenn allowed three hits and one walk while striking out four. Thayron Liranzo
Trio of Sixth-Inning Homers Lead Erie Past Phils
The SeaWolves (33-17) scored six times in the sixth inning to take down Reading (18-30) 11-1 on Saturday. Erie scored a trio of unearned runs against Reading starter Jean Cabrera in the fourth inning. Thayron Liranzo singled and Jake Holton doubled to begin the inning. With one out and the
Reading Rallies to Walk Off Wolves
The SeaWolves (32-17) could not hold a late lead and fell to Reading (18-29) 5-4 on Friday. Erie captured an early lead against Luke Russo in the first inning when Max Anderson doubled with two out and scored on a single by Thayron Liranzo. Reading tied the game against Jaden
Erie Holds on to Sweep Doubleheader from Reading
The SeaWolves (32-16) swept a doubleheader from Reading (17-29) on Thursday. Erie won game one 7-2 and game two 5-4. In game one, Erie broke onto the scoreboard early when Carlos Mendoza slugged a solo homer in the second inning against Reading starter Chuck King. In the third inning, Trei
Erie Shut Down in Series Opener in Reading
The SeaWolves (30-16) were shut out for a second consecutive game as they dropped the series opener to Reading (17-27) 1-0. Reading scored the lone run of the game in the second inning. Keaton Anthony doubled off of Garrett Burhenn to begin the inning. Two batters later, Leandro Pineda doubled
Erie Shut Out as Hartford Avoids Sweep
The SeaWolves (30-15) were unable to close a six-game sweep as they were shut out by Hartford (22-22) 3-0 on Sunday. Hartford first got onto the scoreboard in the fourth inning against Erie starter Carlos Peña when Juan Guerrero led off with a double and scored on Nic Kent’s two-out
Meyers and Bigbie Power Erie to Seventh Straight Win
The SeaWolves (30-14) became the first team in Double-A to cross the 30-win threshold when they beat Hartford (21-22) 5-3 on Saturday. It was Erie’s seventh straight win. Hartford got off to a quick start against Erie starter Jaden Hamm. After Cole Carrigg’s leadoff single, Jose Torres slugged a two-run
Liranzo Walks Off Goats for Erie's Sixth Straight Win
The SeaWolves (29-14) won their sixth straight by walking off Hartford (21-21) 5-4 on Friday. Erie struck for an early lead against Hartford starter Connor Staine. Max Anderson ripped an RBI double to score Carlos Mendoza, who had been hit by a pitch, to make it 1-0. Anderson extended his
Erie Wins Fifth Straight
The SeaWolves (28-14) took down Hartford (21-20) 11-2 on Thursday. Erie scored three runs in the first inning against Mason Green. With two on and two out, Carlos Mendoza lined a single to right. Juan Guerrero, the Hartford right fielder, missed the ball for a fielding error. The error scored
Erie Slams Hartford with 18 Unanswered Runs
The SeaWolves (27-14) erupted for 18 unanswered runs to beat Hartford (21-19) 18-3. Hartford grabbed an early lead on Jose Torres’ solo homer in the second against Garrett Burhenn. The Goats tacked on two more in the third on sacrifice flies by Benny Montgomery and Bryant Betancourt. Erie broke through
Wolves Blank Goats for Third Straight Win
The SeaWolves (26-14) earned their eighth shutout win of the season as they beat Hartford (21-18) 5-0 to kick off the series. Erie broke onto the scoreboard against Hartford starter Sean Sullivan in the second inning. Roberto Campos walked and stole second base. He scored on Eduardo Valencia’s long RBI
Erie Wins Their Final Series at The Diamond with Tie-Breaking Rally
The SeaWolves (25-14) scored three ninth-inning runs to break a tie and beat Richmond (12-27) 7-4 and clinch a series win. In the first, Max Anderson ripped a double against Richmond starter Jack Choate to extend his hitting streak to a season-long 11 games. Two batters later, Eduardo Valencia crushed
Five SeaWolves Arms Combine to Blank Squirrels
The SeaWolves (24-14) earned their seventh shutout win of the season with an 8-0 victory over Richmond (12-26). Erie scored a pair of unearned runs in the first inning against Richmond starter Manuel Mercedes. Trei Cruz was hit by a pitch to begin the game and Carlos Mendoza walked. With
Eldridge Hammers Howlers As Erie Offense Struggles
The SeaWolves (23-14) fell 5-1 to Richmond (12-25) on Friday. Erie opened the ballgame with instant offense, as Max Anderson smashed a first-inning home run against Richmond starter John Michael Bertrand. SeaWolves starter Joseph Montalvo allowed a leadoff single to Diego Velasquez in the first. He stole second and scored
Erie Sneaks Out Doubleheader Split with Game Two Win
The SeaWolves (23-13) and Richmond (11-25) split a doubleheader on Thursday. Richmond won the opener 3-1 and Erie took the second game 3-2. In game one, Richmond struck for a quick run against Carlos Peña when Diego Velasquez began the first with a double and scored on Bryce Eldridge’s single.
Liranzo's Blast Leads Erie Past Richmond
The SeaWolves (22-12) took down Richmond (10-24) 3-1 on Tuesday. Erie scored right out of the gate against Richmond starter Jack Choate. Trei Cruz opened the game with a triple. He scored when Max Anderson reached on Aeverson Arteaga’s error at shortstop, making it 1-0 Erie. Jaden Hamm made that
SeaWolves Fail to Erase Early Deficit
The SeaWolves (21-12) fell to Altoona (16-17) 3-2 in the series finale. Altoona struck for three early runs against Erie starter Troy Melton. Mitch Jebb hit a one-out single and Termarr Johnson walked. After the runners advanced on a double steal, Jack Brannigan punched a two-run double, making it 2-0.
Curve Outlast Wolves in Close Loss
The SeaWolves (21-11) fell to Altoona (15-17) 6-4 on Saturday. Altoona broke onto the scoreboard first in the second inning when Jack Brannigan hit a leadoff home run against Erie starter Joseph Montalvo. Montalvo then walked Sammy Siani and Imanol Vargas. Kervin Pichardo hit an RBI double, making it 2-0.
Erie Erupts Late in Bullpen Game Shutout
The SeaWolves (21-10) took a fourth straight game over Altoona (14-17) with a 7-0 win on Friday night. The game remained scoreless into the sixth inning. In a bullpen day for Erie, RJ Petit tuned in two scoreless innings and Austin Bergner tossed four scoreless frames with five strikeouts. Garrett
Cruz Helps Erie Walk Off Altoona for Second Straight Night
The SeaWolves (20-10) walked off Altoona (14-16) for the second straight game with a 4-3 win on Thursday. Altoona got off to an early start on Imanol Vargas’ RBI double in the second inning against Erie starter Garrett Burhenn. In the third, Vargas batted against Burhenn with two on and