Dylan Cruz will enter 2025 as the starting right fielder for the Nationals, and is considered a strong candidate for the National League Rookie of the Year award. However, even though he remains the No. 1 prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, there didn’t seem to be much buzz around him.
It could be due to James Wood’s dominant presence, the fact that he was a consolation prize to Paul Skeens, or the fact that he had a good season in the minors. Either way, Cruz is still a huge part of the Nationals’ future and brings a lot to the table on both sides of the ball.
The most promising thing about Cruz’s 2024 season was his defensive ability. Cruz won minor league gold glove For his performance as a center fielder. With defensive ace Jacob Young in center field, Cruz, who was called up to the big leagues, was shifted to right field. He was also active in the corner of the outfield.
Cruz appeared in 31 games in the MLB and was an excellent defensive player. he obeyed 3 outs above averageCruz is a plus-level center fielder who plays a corner outfield, and it shows. In the game against the Marlins, he made a number of spectacular plays, including a smooth diving catch. Crews has a chance to win a Major League Gold Glove next year, and his defensive value will be a big part of him winning Rookie of the Year.
Dylan Cruz has been hitting well since turning pro, but Nats fans want a little more. He didn’t shine through the minor leagues like some people expected. At LSU, he was one of the best college hitters of the past decade. However, he faced some difficulties on his way to professional baseball.
Crews also struggled at the plate in the major leagues. After starting his career with a memorable series against the Yankees, Cruz slowed down. He finished the season with a .218 average and .641 OPS. It never looked like he was doing too well, but there was definitely an adjustment period.
Given his pedigree, Crews should at least be a solid hitter. Batted ball profileBut how good his bat gets will determine his ceiling. Cruz can be a good player even if he is just an average hitter thanks to his speed and defensive ability. But given his hype, more would be expected from him. He showed he has what it takes to be a good batsman. good exit velocitya solid approach and bat speed. But he still needs to put everything together.
Crews also has a habit of putting the ball on the ground too much, which has been a consistent problem for hitters throughout the Nationals organization. The tools are there, the crew just needs to find the right way to use them in a match.
Dylan Cruz is a rare player who has both a high floor and a high ceiling. Even if he didn’t develop that much, it’s easy to see how he could become a capable big leaguer. But there’s plenty of runway for him to continue his upward mobility. If he reaches his plateau, Cruz could become one of the most well-rounded players in the game. Don’t be surprised if Dylan Cruz is competing for Rookie of the Year and Gold Glove honors this season.
