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.
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
Holton's 12th-Inning Blast Walks Off Curve
The SeaWolves (19-10) earned their first walk-off win of the season on Jake Holton’s game-winning homer as Erie defeated Altoona (14-15) 6-4 in 12 innings. Erie opened the scoring in the third inning against Curve starter Po-Yu Chen when Danny Seretti drove a two-run double. Serretti, celebrating his 25th birthday,
Hamm Spins First Double-A Win as Wolves Blank Curve
The SeaWolves (18-10) took the opening game of the series against Altoona (14-14) with a 3-0 win on Tuesday. Erie scored first in the second inning on Eduardo Valencia’s two-out RBI single against Altoona starter Jarod Bayless. In the fourth, Erie extended the lead against Altoona reliever J.C. Flowers. Justice
Erie Game One One-Hitter Highlights Sunday Split
The SeaWolves (17-10) and Binghamton (15-11) split a doubleheader on Sunday. Erie won the opener 1-0 and Binghamton took the second game 6-4 to split the six-game series. Erie starter Joseph Montalvo twirled a gem in the first game. Montalvo threw five hitless innings, allowing one walk and two strikeouts.
SeaWolves and Rumble Ponies Postponed on May 3
Today’s (May 3) Erie SeaWolves game against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday, May 4, beginning at 12:05 p.m. Both games will be seven-inning contests and one ticket is good for both games.
Cruz's Multi-Homer Game Highlights Doubleheader Split
The SeaWolves (16-9) and Binghamton(14-10) split a doubleheader on Friday. Binghamton won the opener 4-1 and Erie took the second game 3-0. Binghamton scored first in game one in the fourth inning against Carlos Peña on an RBI double by William Lugo. Peña allowed one run on six hits with
Erie Falls Short in Daytime Loss
The SeaWolves (15-8) fell to Binghamton(13-9) 3-2 on Wednesday. Binghamton grabbed the early lead against Erie starter Jaden Hamm in the second inning. Nick Lorusso and Travis Swaggerty opened the inning with singles. After a flyout out Lorusso on third, Yonny Hernandez’s groundout scored the first run of the game.
Holton Homers Twice and Drives in Five as Erie Bashes Binghamton
The SeaWolves (15-7) bashed six home runs in a rain-shortened, 13-3 win in eight innings over Binghamton (12-9). Before this outing, Binghamton starter Jack Wenninger had only allowed two earned runs in his first 20 innings of work. Erie put four runs up against him in the third inning when
Harrisburg Rallies to Steal Finale in Extras Over Erie
The SeaWolves (14-7) could not hold a late lead and fell to Harrisburg (9-12) 5-4 in 10 innings. Trei Cruz led off the game with a solo home run against rehabbing Nationals right-hander Michael Soroka. Harrisburg tied the game against Erie starter Joseph Montalvo in the bottom of the first.
Anderson and Valencia Power Erie to Series Win
The SeaWolves (14-6) secured a series win with an 8-3 win over Harrisburg (8-12). Harrisburg got the early lead against Erie starter Garrett Burhenn when Joe Naranjo tripled with one out in the second and scored on a single by Carlos De La Cruz. The Senators followed the same script
Erie Breaks Late Tie Under the Rain
The SeaWolves (13-6) took down Harrisburg (8-11) 8-5 in a rain-shortened game thanks to three eighth-inning runs. Harrisburg scored first in the second inning against Erie starter Jake Miller. Nick Schnell and Cortland Lawson hit consecutive two-out doubles, giving the Senators a 1-0 lead. Erie responded with five runs against
Big Third Sinks Hamm, Snaps Erie Win Streak at Four
One big inning snapped the SeaWolves (12-6) four-game winning streak, as Senators (8-10) won 4-2 on Thursday. After SeaWolves starter Jaden Hamm retired the first seven batters he faced, Maxwell Romero Jr. blasted a solo homer to give Harrisburg a 1-0 lead in the third. A walk to Phillip Glasser
SeaWolves Break It Open Late in Fourth Straight Win
The SeaWolves (12-5) beat the Senators (7-10) 10-3 to win a fourth straight. Erie plated three two-out runs in the third inning against Jarlin Susana. Carlos Mendoza, Justice Bigbie, and Eliezer Alfonzo all had RBI singles, giving Erie a 3-0 lead. Troy Melton struggled to hold the lead in the
Montalvo Leads Erie to a Third Straight Win
The SeaWolves (11-5) kicked off their series in Harrisburg with a 6-2 win over the Senators (7-9). Erie faced rehabbing Nationals right-hander Michael Soroka. In the third inning, Max Anderson clobbered a two-run home run, giving Erie a 2-0 lead SeaWolves starter Joseph Montalvo did not need any additional support.
Meyers' Clutch Triple Gives Erie Series Win
The SeaWolves (10-5) earned a series victory with a 5-1 win over Akron (9-6). Akron pushed across an early run in the third inning against Erie starter Garrett Burhenn. Cooper Ingle hit an RBI single with two out and a runner on second to make it 1-0. Akron starter Rodney
Anderson's Four-Hit Performance Not Enough to Out-Slug Akron
The SeaWolves (8-5) and Akron (9-4) combined to slug seven home runs as the RubberDucks defeated Erie 9-6. Akron started quickly against Erie starter Jaden Hamm. After a leadoff single by Travis Bazzana, Cooper Ingle blasted a two-run home run. Kahlil Watson followed with a solo home run, giving Akron
Erie Cannot Erase Akron's Five-Run Frame
The SeaWolves (8-4) rallied late but fell to Akron (8-4), 6-3. Akron plated five runs against Erie starter Austin Bergner in the third inning. Alex Mooney began the inning with a double and scored on Travis Bazzana’s RBI single, making it 1-0. Later in the frame, with the bases loaded
Melton's Gem, Liranzo's Blast Lead Erie to Third Straight Win
The SeaWolves (8-3) shut out Akron (7-4), 4-0, to extend Erie’s winning streak to three games. Erie got a first-inning run against Akron starter Tommy Mace. Mace walked Trei Cruz and Max Anderson to begin the first. Later in the frame, Justice Bigbie slashed an RBI single, giving Erie a
Eight-Run Erie Fourth Erases Early Akron Lead
The SeaWolves (7-3) rode an eight-run inning to a series-opening, 8-7 win over Akron (7-3). Akron knocked out Erie starter Joseph Montalvo in the first inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Jorge Burgos hit a sacrifice fly to give Akron an early 1-0 lead. After Joe Lampe walked,