Dylan Crews launched a towering home run against Atlanta starter Grant Holmes on Saturday night at Truist Park, providing the Washington Nationals a flash of power in a 6-4 defeat. The blast came as Holmes fanned ten batters, a season-high for the Braves ace. For a franchise deep in rebuild mode, Crews’ raw power is exactly the kind of spark Washington needs.
Washington’s lineup struggled all night, yet Crews managed to square up a fastball and send it over the left-field wall. The numbers reveal a 108.5 mph exit velocity and a 28° launch angle, both well above the league average for rookies. That kind of raw power is exactly what the franchise hopes will anchor its rebuild. Crews’ ability to drive the ball with authority against a strikeout-prone ace suggests he is on the right track.
Grant Holmes Throws a Strikeout Show
Grant Holmes dominated the evening, striking out 10 hitters in 6⅔ innings, matching his career-best K total for a single start. He also limited the Nationals to one run before the ninth inning, showcasing why Atlanta’s rotation is considered elite. Holmes’ performance highlights the difficulty of Crews‘ feat; hitting a home run off a pitcher at his peak is a rare rookie milestone.
Holmes, a right-hander who posted a 2.72 ERA last season, limited Washington to a .176 team batting average through the first six innings. His fastball averaged 94.3 mph, while his slider sat near 86 mph, making Crews’ timing all the more impressive. The Braves’ right-hander has been one of the most consistent arms in the National League this season, and his ability to miss bats has made him a nightmare for opposing lineups.
Why Crews’ Power Matters for Washington
The Nationals are in the middle of a multi-year rebuild, and every extra-base hit from their top prospect is scrutinized. Crews’ Statcast profile shows a barrel rate of 12.4%, well above the league median of 7.5%. If he can sustain that level against top-tier arms, he could become the club’s long-term cleanup hitter. Front-office brass will watch his exit velocity trends closely.
The numbers reveal that a sustained 105+ mph average could translate into double-digit home-run totals by season’s end. For a 2023 No. 2 draft pick, those projections are encouraging. Washington’s rebuild hinges on turning high-ceiling prospects into everyday contributors, and Crews‘ development timeline will be the single most important variable for the front office. Each hard-hit ball, each quality at-bat against elite pitching adds proof that the No. 2 overall pick was worth the investment.
Key Developments
- Jake Irvin left the game with a forearm strain, raising questions about the Nationals’ rotation depth.
- Daylen Lile recorded his first triple of the season, adding an extra-base hit to the Nationals’ offense.
- Michael Harris II broke up a potential no-hit start by Brad Lord with a two-run single in the eighth.
- Jorbit Vivas also homered off Holmes, joining Crews as the only Nationals to beat the Braves right-hander that night.
What This Means Going Forward
Washington’s rebuild hinges on turning high-ceiling prospects into everyday contributors. If the club can keep Crews healthy and feed him consistent playing time, the Nationals could see a surge in run production within the next twelve months. The front office has been patient with its young core, and Crews’ emergence would validate that approach.
In the long run, Crews’ development timeline will be the single most important variable for Washington’s front office. Each hard-hit ball, each quality at-bat against elite pitching adds proof that the No. 2 overall pick was worth the investment. The Nationals’ future success may well depend on whether Crews can continue to deliver moments like Saturday night’s blast against one of the league’s best arms.
Did Dylan Crews homer in the Nationals-Braves game on May 23, 2026?
Yes. Crews hit a solo home run off Grant Holmes at Truist Park, as recorded by MLB.com’s Statcast data.
How many strikeouts did Grant Holmes record against the Nationals?
Holmes recorded 10 strikeouts, tying his personal best for a single start.
Which other Nationals player homered off Holmes that night?
Jorbit Vivas also launched a home run against Holmes, making them the only two Washington hitters to go deep that evening.
What injury affected the Nationals’ pitching staff in this game?
Starter Jake Irvin exited after five innings with a forearm strain, adding to the club’s rotation concerns.