Crews' aggressiveness and studious approach suit him in leadoff spot

MIAMI – While watching a Nationals game, whether in person or on TV, odds are you will see their top prospect sitting on a perch along the railing of the dugout during the game.

You’ll have to wait an inning, however, because Dylan Crews doesn’t have much time to watch the game from there while batting leadoff for manager Davey Martinez’s club.

Crews has only played in seven major league games entering tonight’s finale against the Marlins. But Wednesday's game will be the sixth time in eight appearances the rookie outfielder will hit in the leadoff spot.

That spot has typically been where CJ Abrams hits, including Crews’ major league debut when the young outfielder hit second. But the Nats’ young shortstop has been bumped down the order to try to take some pressure off him as he looks for more success at the plate.

In the meantime, Martinez thinks Crews’ approach suits him well as a leadoff hitter.

“He’s working counts. He’s seeing pitches. He’s swinging the bat well,” Martinez said during his pregame media session at loanDepot park. “So I like him up there. He’s got a lot of energy, that kid. So I appreciate the way he plays the game so far. He gets us going.”

It’s a very small sample size, but Crews’ numbers aren’t anything to be too impressed by in the leadoff spot. He’s hitting .217 with a .217 on-base percentage in 23 plate appearances. Although he has yet to draw a walk from that spot in the order, he does have a double, two home runs, three RBIs and a stolen base.

Crews has said he likes the Nats’ aggressive approach because it aligns with how he likes to play the game. And Martinez likes that aggressiveness at the top of the order.

“One hundred percent,” the skipper said. “Like I said, he’s really learning. He’s the guy sitting at the top of the dugout watching pitches, watching the pitcher work, what he does, watching our at-bats. I watch him in the outfield, he’s always moving around. He gets great jumps on balls. So far, he’s doing all the right things. I love his energy. I love the way he plays the game. He’s astute of what he’s trying to do and what he’s trying to accomplish.”

Indeed, Crews can be seen atop the dugout keenly watching the game when he’s not up to bat, studying the action with his own eyes instead of on film.

“I always say that’s old school,” Martinez said. “I mean, he’s not running to the iPad. He’s sitting there and he’s learning by watching the game, which is pretty cool.”

He has only been a major leaguer for 10 days, but Crews has already shown his deep understanding of the game and desire to learn more.

“He’s a student. He pays attention to detail,” Martinez said. “As you know, I like to listen to players before I put my two cents into things. But it’s great to communicate, especially with him because he understands what he’s trying to do.”

* The Nats have listed the probable pitching matchups for the upcoming four-game series against the Pirates:

Thursday — RHP Jake Irvin vs. LHP Bailey Falter
Friday — LHP DJ Herz vs. RHP Luis Ortiz
Saturday — LHP Mitchell Parker vs. RHP Mitch Keller
Sunday — LHP Patrick Corbin vs. RHP Jared Jones

The Pirates are using a six-man rotation, so there will be no Paul Skenes vs. Crews matchup this weekend in Pittsburgh.