The Washington Nationals are sneaky! Well, in a good way, because after their outstanding 2019 World Series win, they have been in the process of a rebuild, slowly and steadily. And now, their young core is starting to show what they are capable of. It feels like 2025 will be a season where things turn around and the fans are excited about it. The 2024 season didn’t see any drastic improvement in total wins, but the promise is there for the future.

General manager Mike Rizzo has been patient and focused on developing the homegrown talent. And he also made some smart moves to fill in the gaps this season. While there have been no high-profile signings this offseason, they signed Nathaniel Lowe by trade. There is also Josh Bell. These strategic pickups show they are ready for long-term success.

Recently in a segment of MLB’s Network, Chris Young talked about the Nationals’ future and reiterated one thing: “They have a lot of young talent…” said Young. And he is right; the team is young and has plenty of promise. Players like CJ Abrams, Luiz Garcia Jr., and top prospects like James Wood and Dylan Crews bring excitement to the lineup. But that’s not all. To help solidify the rotation, the Washington Nationals signed veterans Trevor Williams and Michael Soroka.

Also, the Nationals are not in a win-now mode, which works in their favor. This is letting the team allow the players to learn, grow, develop, and truly show what they bring to the table. It’s what the Baltimore Orioles did with their young lineup. Remember? Moreover, let’s not forget their bullpen, which would need some bolstering after the team decided to non-tender Kyle Finnegan this time. So, sure, there is some work still left. They have the first draft pick and it remains to see what they will do to strengthen their groundwork more. Meanwhile, one of their stars is reaching for the skies!

The Washington Nationals’ top rookie hope for NL ROY award

Are you looking for the next big thing in the National League? Well, no need to look further than Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews. MLB’s recent poll shows Crews is the odds-on favorite to win the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year Award, and it’s simple to understand why. The kid has got it all. He has taken the baseball world by storm and has a 50% vote share in the poll, leaving the rest of the prospects in the dust.

The next on the list is Matt Shaw, who got 18.8%, and then Bubba Chandler, who has 10.4%, and Jordan Lawler, too, with 6.3%. Surprisingly, even after combining the three, Dylan Crews is still ahead! And as the top prospect, Crews brings in serious hype. After being drafted in 2023, he had a brief taste in 2024. He played 31 games and hit .218 with three homers, eight RBIs, and 12 stolen bases.

But the real place where Crews shined is in the minor leagues. A .270 average, 13 home runs, and 21 doubles highlight that Crews has big potential. His plate discipline and his power and ability to adjust to new changes are his advantages. If he manages to keep up, then 2025 could be his breakout year.

Do you think that Dylan Crews is a star in the making? Let us know in the comments.