Juan Soto’s return to Nationals Park will show fans the past and future

Washington Nationals fans will get a look at the team’s past and future next week when the New York Yankees travel to the nation’s capital for the only time this season.

When the Yankees arrive for the three-game set beginning on Monday, it’ll be All-Star outfielder Juan Soto’s first time returning to Nationals Park since he was with the San Diego Padres last season. Although he only spent four-plus seasons with Washington, Soto is a franchise legend, making two All-Star teams, winning a Home Run Derby and two Silver Slugger awards and claiming a batting title with the club.

Most importantly, the 25-year-old helped lead the Nationals to their first World Series title in 2019.

Nats followers who want to forget about the past and look toward the future have been enjoying seeing rookie outfielder James Wood (acquired from the Padres as a top prospect in August 2022 in the Soto deal) get off to a hot start this summer. On Monday, Wood will be joined by another promising outfield prospect in 2023 second overall pick Dylan Crews.

Sources: Nationals top prospect Dylan Crews is expected to be called up to make his MLB debut in DC on Monday night against the Yankees.

Crews and Wood, together at Nationals Park for the first time, opposing Juan Soto and the Yankees.

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) August 23, 2024

— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) August 23, 2024

The 22-year-old LSU product has been raking in the minor leagues this year, registering 13 home runs, 68 RBI and a .272/.343/.456 slash line across 393 at-bats covering 99 games between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester. Crews is dangerous on the basepaths as well, as evidenced by his 25 stolen bases against just five caught stealing in 2024.

He’s been particularly strong in August.

Dylan Crews has been hot in August
17 G
4 HR
14 RBI
15 R
5 SB
.306/.366/.542/.908@Nationals | @RocRedWings | @Nats_PlayerDev pic.twitter.com/EIWQ3i9fLa

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 23, 2024

At 58-70 entering Friday, the Nationals appear destined to miss the playoffs for the fifth straight season, but they’re on pace to pass their previous year’s win total for the second consecutive campaign. With Crews, Wood and shortstop and first-time All-Star CJ Abrams (also acquired from San Diego in the Soto trade) at the core of their lineup, Washington’s future is bright.