9 Comments
User's avatar
GLH aka NatsFan4Ever's avatar

Still a lot of unanswered questions. Some will be answered in the next week, others will play out in the first couple weeks to months of the season, and still others we will look back in September and see how things played out. I am looking forward to it all, especially under the new leadership, coaching and player development. I also agree with Mark that it is better to let him have sometime at the MLB level, rathen than sending him down to AAA to start the season.

GO NATS!!

The OG NY Nat's avatar

One thing I don’t understand is the “relax, it’s Spring Training” or “don’t freak out, it’s a short sample size” responses when it comes to Crews. As if those that are expressing concern are being emotional and illogical.

This isn’t true at all. We are going on two full calendar years since he has performed, and that was in the low minors. Everyone has every right to be concerned, in a well-researched and rational way. It isn’t good.

gonatsgo1's avatar

I get your point and his performance is definitely concerning. No question.

But, he's played in a total of 116 major league games with a little over 400 ABs. That's not even a full season. Small sample size? Yeah, it is.

Max Patkin's avatar

Eh... it's a small sample size, yes. But the eye test is something else entirely and if you ignore the numbers and watch the young man at the plate, he does not look good.

Hitting at the MLB level is, in many cases, a guessing game. Educated guesses, to be sure. Guys look for a specific pitch in certain counts and, if they don't get that pitch, they can look pretty silly. But Crews does not seem to have the first clue what's coming. His swing is picture perfect. But a gorgeous swing at a curveball when you're looking fastball is just a gorgeous swing and miss. Or, at best, weak contact. Either way, Crews looks pretty helpless. I've been one opposed to sending him down but... at some point they have to take the pressure off the kid and let him rebuild his confidence. I believe he's immensely talented and should excel at the highest level. But everything the eye test tells us is he needs to go to a quiet place and figure it out without the world watching.

gonatsgo1's avatar

Absolutely, the eye test means something. I saw him over a handful of games in Florida so I get it.

Bottom line: I think Mark has it right. He'll go north with the club but if the struggles continue, hello Rochester.

gonatsgo1's avatar

That didn't age well.

CBinDC's avatar

It really is PUT UP OR SHUT UP with Dylan Crews… he really was sold as MLB READY not some development project and I can not say what is going thru his mind but he looks like he is doing exactly the same thing hoping for better results

kbooker13's avatar

Always good to see CB from the Washington Post board posting. I thought I would never hear his wisdom again.

Daniel's avatar

We have enough depth in the minors to begin the season, that’s good news. 1B: Ortiz, Mervis, Morales; 2B/SS: Lipscomb; 3B: Morales / Lipscomb… I’m ok where we are at