BY DAN GLICKMAN
Three members of the 2024 Rochester Red Wings earned 2024 Washington Nationals Minor League Awards, the team announced on Thursday. Outfielder Dylan Crews was named Hitter of the Year, utilityman Darren Baker earned Baserunner of the Year honors, and pitcher Brad Lord won the Nationals Way Award.
Crews, the top prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, split the season between AA Harrisburg and the Red Wing before he was called up in late August. During his time in the minors, he finished second in the Washington system in extra-base hits (400) and triples (six), third in slugging percentage (.451), OPS (.793), and RBI (68), and fourth in doubles (21), home runs (13), batting average (.270), and stolen bases (25). He went .265 during his time in Rochester with eight home runs, 10 doubles, three triples, 30 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 20 walks. He slashed .309/.385/.529 in his final 16 games as a Red Wing before he joined the Nationals.
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Darren Baker, who also received a call-up to Washington late in the season, stole 38 bases this season with Rochester, the most in the Washington system and third in the International League. In addition, he placed third in runs scored (70) in the Nationals system. At the plate, Baker had a career year in hits (124), RBI (49) and runs scored, and also had a career-high 17-game hitting streak in August.
Brad Lord earned the Nationals Way Award after being one of the two minor leaguers who “best demonstrate the professionalism, leadership, loyalty, passion, selflessness, durability, determination and work ethic required to play the game the ‘Washington Nationals Way.’” Splitting his time between AA (where he twice won Eastern League Pitcher of the Month) and Rochester, he led the system with a 2.43 ERA and .224 opposing batting average while finishing second with 10 wins and a 1.20 WHIP. He made 12 starts and posted a 3.93 ERA with the Red Wqings, making 57 strikeouts to only 20 walks in 55 innings pitched.
The Red Wings, who finished the season 77-71, return to play late next March before hosting their home opener on April 1, 2025.
Congrats to all! Especially Darren who along with Dad, is good friends with my family.
All three were fun to watch, thanks for some great baseball