Dylan Crews continues to develop his elite talent, raves about LSU’s 2023 potential

When Dylan Crews has completed his playing days in Tigertown, he may sit among the elite hitters in LSU baseball lore.

Names like two-time World Series champion Alex Bregman, Todd Walker, Eddy Furniss and D.J. LeMahieu are among the program’s most productive performers at the plate all-time.

Crews, a Longwood, Florida native, has batted .356 with 40 HR’s, 114 RBI and a .458 on base percentage in 125 games at LSU. In 2022, the right handed hitter was a consensus first-team All-American and Co-SEC Player of the Year. The centerfielder was also named to the All-SEC defensive team and a Golden Spikes semifinalist.

Last season as a sophomore, Crews led the SEC in runs scored (73), ranked second in triples (4), third in RBI (72) as well as total bases (172) and fourth in homers ( 22). He also hit .373 last year with runners in scoring position.

An obviously gifted talent, Crews also puts in the work.

“It all starts with doing the little things right,” Crews expalined. “Getting the guys over, getting the guys in. We do that. we’ll be a very successful team this year.”

Crews spent his second summer at LSU in ’22 with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team to improve his skills. He is a veteran college performer will plenty of top-notch experiences ahead of No. 1 LSU’s series versus Western Michigan on opening weekend at Alex Box Stadium.

“This isn’t my first rodeo,” he chuckled. “I know what to expect. I know how to handle things better. (LSU) has been the best three years of my life. I know what to expect and how to handle it.”

The projected No. 1 overall prospect in the upcoming MLB draft is a refined hitter. Prospectivelive.com, a website rating MLB draft prospects, gave excellent reviews of Crews as a hitter.

The 6-foot, 203 pounder connected conssitently on fastballs in 2022, batting .388 with a .705 slugging percentage while striking out only 13% of the time. He rarely goes outside of the strike zone (only 15% chase rate). Crews is a patient, selective batter who punishes the fastball.

His weakness last season was against slider. On 80 mph or higher sliders, he hit .225 with a .425 slugging percentage. However, his overall contact rate on all pitches is still elite for a young prospect.

Crews is expected to set the table for LSU this season at or near the top of the lineup.

“I’m probably going to lead off this year. I’ll get more AB’s under my belt. I think it is important for me to see pitches. I’m not a secret like I was before my freshman year,” Crews stated confidently. “I want to see pitches, get deeper into counts, trust my guys behind me. My role is to get on for these guys and let them drive me in.”

The batting order for the Tigers has improved drastically since last season. The new slugger in the lineup is expected cleanup hitter, Tommy “Tanks” White, a transfer from NC State. The 6-foot, 236-pound third baseman is not flashy, just highly effective as one of the college game’s most dangerous power hitters.

White was the 2022 ACC freshman of the year, batting .362 with 85 hits for the Wolfpack. He set an NCAA freshman record with 27 home runs. He also had 26 multi hit games and 19 multi RBI contests. White wrapped up his freshman campaign with a 26-game streak of reaching base.

With White along with transfer pitchers Paul Skenes (Air Force), Thatcher Hurd (UCLA), Bryce Collins (Arizona ) and Christian Little (Vanderbilt, LSU feasted on the transfer portal.

“Awesome,” Crews responded to influx of new Tigers. “Just to see the transformation from last year to this year. Seeing guys come from other schools. I know all of them. I tried my best to try to help get them here. I knew they would like coach Jay (Johnson) and everything about this. The egos have been pushed aside. We’re all one going in the same direction.”

At least a pair of true freshmen should also make a significant impact for the Purple and Gold this season.

Paxton Kling (6-2, 205), an outfielder from Roaring Springs, Pa., is very advanced. He was listed among the top 105 MLB draft prospects and rated No. 6 overall in his class by Perfect Game.

Although he has had a slow preseason, middle infielder Gavin Guidry (6-2, 186) was the top senior player in Louisiana out of Barbe and was the 13th overall rated shortstop in the nation. He turns 60 yards in 6.36 seconds.

Both of those young players may have to move around positionally to see playing time, something Crews understands well. He began his career in right field but has found a home in center. He understands it is a work still in progress.

“I want to show that I can stay in center, doing the little things, like getting live reads off the bats, improve my speed, doing whatever I can to improve on my skills and help this team get better.”

Facing a loaded LSU pitching staff during scrimmages has helped Crews improve his eye in the batter’s box.

“It’s awesome facing these guys, seeing the growth in them everyday. Being able to command three or four different pitches. Every time I face them the second time around ,they are way better than when I faced them the first time. I’m excited to see them this year.”

It’s the pitch diversity of many of the new arms on the staff that have led LSU to be considered the most talented team in the country.

“There are a more variety of pitchers compared to last year, mixing it in, throwing more for strikes. They can throw it in any count. Having faced these guys (in scrimmages) is going to help slow the game for us.”

Among the returning arms, Ty Floyd (6-2, 200) has impressed Crews with his exploding fastball in the mid to low 90’s. Floyd has developed his off-speed pitches, potentially set to play a prominent role as a weekend starter or high-leverage relief option. He made 16 appearances last season with a 3.77 ERA, 70 strikeouts and 23 walks, limiting opponents to a .199 batting average.

“Ty Floyd has been tremendous,” raved Crews. “He has made a huge impact this year. His growth from last year has been awesome. I’m looking forward to seeing how he does this year.”

It’s not only the talent on the field that has expectations and hopes sky high in Baton Rouge. There is a sense of togetherness already forming.

“This is my third year here,” Crews said. “This in one of the closest teams I’ve ever been a part of. I’ll die for any one of these guys and they’ll do the same for me. Keeping the egos away, everyone be a leader in their own way. Everyone knowing their role. The chemistry on this team is very special. Just trusting one another. We promise you the best effort and attitude out on the field.”