Dylan Crews Keeps Hitting, But Will Power Come With It?

Plus: Some familiar faces once again impress on Wednesday across spring training.

Author

Mark Chiarelli
March 13, 2025

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Dylan Crews, OF, Nationals: Unlike most prospects this spring, Crews is the presumed starter in right field heading into the season for his club. It’s for good reason, as Crews is a dynamic and well-rounded player. He showed that on Wednesday reaching base twice, driving in a run and scoring. Crews is now 10-for-28 this spring with five walks to six strikeouts. Crews’ advanced hitting abilities put him in the conversation for National League Rookie of the Year in 2025.

Tekoah Roby, RHP, Cardinals: Roby is looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued and ineffective 2024 season. So far this spring, Roby looks to have turned a corner. Roby sat 95-96 mph touching 97 mph at peak mixing his low-80s curveball, high-80s slider and changeup. Roby showed strong command throughout the outing Wednesday, hitting his spots consistently across his mix. After being added to the 40-man roster, Roby has an opportunity to see some innings with the Cardinals later this season, although the Cardinals optioned him to Double-A on Wednesday after his outing.

Zac Veen, OF, Rockies: Rockies outfielder Zac Veen’s excellent spring continued on Wednesday. He hit a bases-loaded triple and is now 10-for-32 this spring with six extra-base hits and 11 RBIs. Veen has struggled with injuries over the last few seasons after being a touted prep prospect. He’s on the 40-man roster, and while he likely will not make the team out of camp, he could be in for some time in Colorado this summer.

Jac Caglianone, 1B, Royals: Caglianone has had an outstanding spring. After Wednesday’s 1-for-2 showing with a double, he is now 7-for-14 this spring with three home runs. Caglianone’s immense power is his carrying tool, but he shows advanced bat-to-ball ability, despite an overzealous approach at the plate. The double on Wednesday left that bat at 111.5 mph, showcasing his ability to hit the ball as hard as anyone in the game.

Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox: Mayer had himself a night on Wednesday. His ninth-inning single drove in the game-tying run against the Twins. Then, after reaching second on fielder indifference, Mayer scored the walk-off run on a single to left field by Mark Kolozsvary. Mayer is enjoying an excellent spring in big league games and is hitting 9-for-23 with seven RBI. There’s little doubt that Mayer can hit, it’s just a matter of staying healthy.

Zebby Matthews, RHP, Twins: Matthews dominated over three innings of relief Wednesday against the Red Sox. He was very precise and generated plenty of looking strikes, punching out both Roman Anthony and Masataka Yoshida on called third strikes. Matthews has been excellent this spring, tossing 9.1 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts. Wednesday’s outing was by far his best showing. 

Editor’s Picks

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Baseball America Helium Pick Of The Day

Each day, we’ll pick a prospect that has our attention.

Andrew Morris, RHP, Twins: On Tuesday, Twins righthander Andrew Morris spun three shutout innings against the Blue Jays. His fastball sat in the mid 90s, and he allowed one hit and struck out three before yielding to Louis Varland. Two of Morris’ strikeouts were swinging, and he got four more swinging strikes before his day ended. The whiffs came on a variety of pitches, too. Baseball America’s Josh Norris examined why Morris is an arm to keep an eye on in Minnesota’s system.

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