Washington Nationals Shake Up Roster with Designation of Struggling First Baseman
Introduction
The Washington Nationals have made a big move by designating first baseman Nathaniel Lowe for assignment. This comes as no surprise, as Lowe has been struggling at the plate this season, batting just .177 with a 34.7% strikeout rate. In his place, the Nationals have activated top prospect Dylan Crews, who is expected to make an immediate impact in the lineup. This decision by the Nationals has sparked a lot of discussion and speculation among fans and experts, with many questioning the team's long-term strategy.
Key Details
Lowe's struggles at the plate have been a major concern for the Nationals this season. Despite being a highly touted prospect, he has not been able to find his footing in the majors. This move to designate him for assignment shows the team's commitment to winning now and their lack of patience for underperforming players. On the other hand, the activation of Crews is a clear statement of the Nationals' confidence in their young talent and their willingness to give them a chance to prove themselves at the highest level.
Impact
With this move, the Nationals are making it clear that they are not willing to settle for mediocrity. They are willing to make big changes in order to improve their performance on the field. This decision also puts the rest of the team on notice, sending a message that no one's
About the People Mentioned
Nathaniel Lowe
David Nathaniel Lowe Jr., born July 7, 1995, in Norfolk, Virginia, is an American professional baseball first baseman currently playing for the Boston Red Sox.[1][5][6] Standing 6'4" and weighing 220 pounds, he bats left-handed and throws right-handed, having debuted in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Tampa Bay Rays on April 29, 2019.[1][2] Lowe attended Pope High School in Marietta, Georgia, where he set multiple school records for hits, runs, doubles, RBI, home runs, and walks in a season, earning Georgia 5A Player of the Year honors and helping win a state championship.[3] He played college baseball at Mercer University, St. Johns River State College, and Mississippi State University before being drafted by the Rays in the 13th round (390th overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft, the same year his brother Josh was a first-round pick.[1][2][4] His career breakthrough came in 2018 with improved conditioning and swing adjustments, leading to Minor League honors like Baseball America Double-A All-Star and MiLB.com Organization All-Star.[2][4] Promoted to the Rays in 2019, he later joined the Texas Rangers, where he excelled: in 2022, he hit .302 with 27 home runs, earning the AL Silver Slugger Award and Rangers MVP.[1][2] In 2023, Lowe batted .262 with 17 home runs, won the AL Gold Glove at first base, and contributed to the Rangers' World Series championship.[1][2] After the 2023 title, he signed a one-year, $4.05 million deal with Texas.[1] In 2024, he split time between the Rangers (.265, 16 HR in 140 games) and Washington Nationals (.216, 16 HR in 119 games) before being designated for assignment and waived.[1][7] As of 2025, Lowe is active with Boston, posting a .228 average, 18 home runs, and 84 RBI, maintaining relevance as a power-hitting corner infielder.[5][6] He holds career MLB stats of .264 average, 107 home runs, and 413 RBI over 3,018 at-bats.[2] (Word count: 298)[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Dylan Crews
Dylan Crews is a professional baseball player for the **Washington Nationals** organization, currently serving as an outfielder in their minor league system.[2][4] Born on February 26, 2002, in Altamonte Springs, Florida, Crews was selected by the Nationals in the first round (second overall pick) of the 2023 MLB Draft.[6][7] Crews built one of the most decorated careers in LSU baseball history during his three-year tenure with the Tigers.[4] He compiled a .380 career batting average with 286 hits in 753 at-bats, along with 58 home runs, 184 RBIs, 237 runs scored, and a .689 slugging percentage.[1] His offensive prowess earned him multiple prestigious honors, including the **2023 Golden Spikes Award**, recognizing him as the best amateur player in the United States and making him only the second LSU player to receive this honor.[1][5] Crews achieved historic recognition by winning the **SEC Player of the Year award in back-to-back seasons** (2022 and 2023), becoming the first player ever to accomplish this feat.[1][3] He was also a consensus All-American selection and earned SEC Co-Player of the Year honors in 2022.[1][4] During the 2023 NCAA Baton Rouge Regional, he was named the tournament's MVP after batting .615 with eight hits in 13 at-bats, including two home runs.[1] Beyond individual statistics, Crews demonstrated community commitment as a two-time member of the SEC Community Service Team, focusing on families affected by autism in the Baton Rouge area.[1] His college career included a notable 26-game hitting streak in 2023 and consistent excellence across all statistical categories, establishing him as one of the program's premier talents. Currently, Crews is developing within the Nationals' minor league system as the organization's top outfield prospect, positioned at age 23 to potentially impact Major League Baseball in the coming years.[4]
About the Organizations Mentioned
Washington Nationals
The **Washington Nationals** are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Washington, D.C., competing in the National League East division. The franchise originated as the Montreal Expos in 1969 and relocated to Washington in 2005, adopting the Nationals name to reflect the city's baseball heritage[1][2]. Their home games are played at Nationals Park, and the team colors are scarlet red, navy blue, and white[1]. Historically, the Nationals have experienced fluctuating success. As the Expos, they had modest achievements, including a playoff appearance in 1981. Since relocating, they clinched the National League East division title in 2012 and made several postseason appearances in the mid-2010s[1][2]. Their pinnacle achievement was winning the **2019 World Series**, marking the franchiseβs first championship. That year, the Nationals overcame significant playoff hurdles, including their first postseason series victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers and sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Championship Series. In the World Series, they defeated the Houston Astros in seven games, a historic win highlighted by four road victories. Stephen Strasburg was named the World Series MVP, setting a record with five wins and no losses in a single postseason[2]. Following their championship, the Nationals entered a rebuilding phase, trading away core star players and struggling in subsequent seasons, finishing near the bottom of their division from 2020 through 2023[1]. As of 2025, the team continues developing talent with a focus on younger players and organizational depth amid competitive challenges[4][5]. Notable players across both the Expos and Nationals eras include Hall of Famers Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, and Larry Walker, as well as stars like Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer, and Stephen Strasburg[1][2]. The Nationalsβ story reflects the complex dynamics of sports franchises involving financial viability, talent development
