Wil Crowe

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3+23 innings, was promoted to the Auburn Doubledays, where he finished the season, posting a 2.61 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP in seven games started. [9] Crowe opened his season with the High–A Potomac Nationals in 2018 by winning eleven straight decisions, [10] [11] earning a berth in the Carolina League All-Star Game. [12] He was promoted to the Double–A Harrisburg Senators midway through the season, losing all five of his decisions at the higher level. [11] After the season, Crowe was named a co-Minor League Pitcher of the Year (with Ben Braymer) by the Nationals. [13]

In 2019, Crowe was invited to participate in his first major league spring training as a non-roster invitee, [14] giving him the opportunity to work with veteran Nationals pitchers Patrick Corbin, Max Scherzer, and Stephen Strasburg, something he described to The Washington Post as "like getting a PhD in pitching". [15] He was ranked before the season as the fifth-best prospect in the Nationals organization by MLB Pipeline, and the team's second-best pitching prospect behind Mason Denaburg. [16]

Crowe made his Major League Baseball debut on August 22, 2020, starting the second game of a doubleheader against the Miami Marlins. [17]

Pittsburgh Pirates

On December 24, 2020, the Nationals traded Crowe and Eddy Yean to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Josh Bell. [18] Crowe made 26 appearances (25 starts) for Pittsburgh in 2021, registering a 4–8 record and 5.48 ERA with 111 strikeouts in 116.2 innings pitched.

In 2022, Crowe pitched in 60 games for the Pirates, posting a 6–10 record and 4.38 ERA with 68 strikeouts and 4 saves in 76.0 innings pitched. On September 20, 2022, Crowe delivered a pitch that Aaron Judge hit for his 60th home run of the season, tying Babe Ruth for the second-most in New York Yankees history. [19]

Crowe made 5 appearances with the team to begin the 2023 season before he was placed on the 60-day injured list on April 29, 2023, with a right shoulder issue. [20] On July 19, Crowe was activated from the injured list and subsequently designated for assignment. [21] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Indianapolis Indians on July 25. [22] Crowe was released by the Pirates organization on November 16. [23]

Kia Tigers

On January 6, 2024, Crowe signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Kia Tigers of the KBO League. [24] In 8 starts for the Tigers, he compiled a 5–1 record and 3.57 ERA with 43 strikeouts across 40+13 innings pitched. On May 29, Crowe was declared inactive due to an elbow injury, and was temporarily replaced by Cam Alldred. [25] On May 31, it was announced that he would undergo elbow surgery, likely ending his season. [26] Crowe was waived by the Tigers on August 5. [27]

Philadelphia Phillies

On May 20, 2025, Crowe signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. [28] He played with the Reading Fightin Phils and Lehigh Valley IronPigs, compiling a 7.14 ERA over 43 innings. On August 22, 2025, the Phillies released Crowe. [29]

Pitching style

Crowe throws both four-seam and two-seam fastballs, reaching 94 miles per hour (151 km/h) as of 2018. He complements his fastballs with a changeup, curveball, and slider. [30] In his downtime, Crowe studies baseball analytics. [15]

Personal life

Crowe and his wife, Hilary, married in December 2018. [31] His great-great uncle is Red Ruffing, a Hall of Fame pitcher buried in Bedford Heights, Ohio. [19]

References

  1. 1 2 Thomas, Chris (June 11, 2016). "Pigeon Forge graduate Wil Crowe drafted by Cleveland Indians in 21st round". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  2. White, Neil (April 28, 2015). "USC's Wil Crowe undergoes Tommy John surgery". The State. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  3. Wilson, Mike (February 11, 2017). "South Carolina baseball pitchers Wil Crowe, Cody Morris 'fed off each other' through Tommy John rehab" . Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  4. Connolly, Matt (June 1, 2016). "Gamecocks star Wil Crowe shines in return to the mound". The State. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  5. Keeler, Ricky (June 13, 2017). "Washington Nationals take Wil Crowe with 65th pick in 2017 MLB Draft". District on Deck. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  6. Caraviello, David (June 29, 2017). "Gamecocks pitcher Wil Crowe signs with Nationals for bonus of $946,500". The Post and Courier. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  7. "2017 Prospect Watch". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  8. Norris, Josh (July 24, 2017). "2017 Washington Nationals Midseason Top 10 Prospects". Baseball America. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  9. "Wil Crowe Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  10. "Noll leads Potomac over Salem 6–1". Bristol Herald-Courier. June 13, 2018. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  11. 1 2 Kerr, Byron (December 28, 2018). "Nats top prospects: No. 5 – RHP Will Crowe". MASN Sports. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  12. Kerr, Byron (June 12, 2018). "Potomac nets six players on Carolina League All-Star squad" . Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  13. Kerr, Byron (September 26, 2018). "Kieboom, Braymer, Crowe and Noll honored with Nationals minor league awards". MASN Sports. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  14. "Nationals' Wil Crowe: Reassigned to minor-league camp". CBS Sports. March 8, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  15. 1 2 Dougherty, Jesse (March 23, 2019). "As their starters go, so go the Nationals". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  16. "2019 Prospect Watch". MLB.com. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  17. "Miami Marlins at Washington Nationals Box Score, August 22, 2020". Baseball Reference. August 22, 2020.
  18. "Nats acquire former All-Star Bell from Pirates". ESPN.com. December 24, 2020.
  19. 1 2 Holmlund, Ted (September 21, 2022). "Pirate who gave up 60th HR to Aaron Judge is related to teammate of Babe Ruth". New York Post. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  20. "Pirates' Wil Crowe: Moved to 60-day IL". cbssports.com. April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  21. "Pirates' Wil Crowe: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  22. "Pirates' Wil Crowe: Outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  23. "Transactions". MiLB.com.
  24. "KBO's KIA Tigers Sign Wil Crowe". MLB Trade Rumors. January 7, 2024.
  25. "KBO-leading Tigers sign ex-big leaguer Alldred as temporary replacement for Crowe". koreatimes.co.kr. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  26. "Tigers' ace Crowe to undergo elbow surgery". m-en.yna.co.kr. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  27. "x.com".
  28. "Phillies Sign Lucas Sims To Minor League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  29. https://www.milb.com/transactions/2025-08-22
  30. Lusk, Lacy (April 8, 2018). "Offseason Regimen Pays Off For Wil Crowe". Baseball America. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  31. "Potomac Nationals' pitcher Wil Crowe at home with temporary living arrangements". INSIDENOVA.COM. April 6, 2018.
Wil Crowe
Wil Crowe (cropped).jpg
Crowe with the Washington Nationals in 2020
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1994-09-09) September 9, 1994 (age 30)
Kingston, Tennessee, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: August 22, 2020, for the Washington Nationals
KBO: March 23, 2024, for the Kia Tigers