If you thought training like a champion only happens in high-tech gyms or glossy fitness centers, Dylan Crews is here to prove you wrong. This rising baseball star—hailed as one of the Washington Nationals’ top prospects and the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft—credits much of his success to a training routine that sounds straight out of a “Rocky” movie. From hitting tires to swinging heavy bats filled with sand, Crews’ workout regime was anything but conventional during his formative years. And guess what? It paid off big time.

Crews weren’t born with elite facilities at his disposal. Between 11 and 14, he trained in a modest warehouse with what could only be described as “DIY” equipment. His makeshift training included a bucket filled with cement, topped by a PVC pipe acting as a tee. Pretty creative, right? The goal was simple: strengthen his swing and improve his overall game by sticking to the fundamentals with a twist of grit. This no-frills approach laid the groundwork for his rapid rise in baseball.

Grit meets genius: Dylan Crews’ unconventional power-building workouts

One of the key elements of his workout involved hitting tires with a bat. Sounds unusual? It was. But the purpose was genius. Hitting a tire repeatedly builds incredible wrist strength, sharpens hand-eye coordination, and improves bat control. Crews would stick the bat at the point of contact, ensuring that he mastered the feel of a proper hit. And this wasn’t just about brute force—it was about precision and endurance. “We had tires we were hitting… to strengthen up the hands and the arms,” Crews explained, further adding, “Just hitting the tire, sticking it at contact… to strengthen up the forearms and wrists.”

And it didn’t stop at just hitting tires; Crews went full-on “Rocky Balboa” mode with another piece of equipment: he’d hammer away at tires to strengthen his forearms and wrists, key muscle groups for any power hitter. Without a single nail in sight, the focus was purely on conditioning. Think of it as the baseball version of Rocky pounding meat slabs in the freezer.

To improve his reaction time and hand speed, Crews even incorporated boxing speed bags into his routine. As for those heavy bats filled with sand, they were another secret weapon in his training; swinging these weighted bats allowed Crews to build muscle strength without compromising his swing mechanics. Over time, this not only improved his power at the plate but also enhanced his endurance during long games and practice sessions in MLB.

From warehouse workouts to Major League wonders

Looking back, it’s clear that these gritty, old-school methods played a huge role in shaping Crews into the powerhouse he is today. While most kids his age were sticking to traditional training routines, Crews was pushing boundaries with innovative and tough-as-nails techniques. The sheer creativity and toughness of his workouts weren’t just about physical strength; they taught him resilience, discipline, and the value of hard work traits that continue to set him apart in the professional league. It’s no wonder he stood out among his peers and caught the attention of Major League scouts early on.

Even now, as he trains with world-class equipment and facilities in professional baseball, Crews hasn’t forgotten his warehouse roots. He occasionally revisits those rugged training methods to stay grounded and maintain the strength and agility that got him to where he is. Because, as he puts it, you can always go back to the basics, especially when those basics are what made you a star in the first place.

So, next time you watch Dylan Crews hit a home run or make an incredible play in the outfield, just remember: behind that elite performance is a kid who once trained in a warehouse, hammering tires and swinging sand-filled bats, determined to chase his dreams with all the grit and heart of a real-life Rocky. His journey from makeshift workouts to Major League stardom is proof that innovation, perseverance, and hard work are the ultimate game-changers in any field—literally.