Newcomer James Wood Looks to Make His MLB Mark for the Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals have brought up outfield prospect James Wood from Triple-A to make his MLB debut against the New York Mets. A 21-year-old who was drafted in the second round of the 2021 draft, Wood has had a strong season in Triple-A, batting .346 with 10 home runs, 34 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. His impressive performance on the field has earned him a spot on the Nationals roster alongside other members from his draft class, including MacKenzie Gore and CJ Abrams.
Wood’s arrival in the majors is highly anticipated as he was ranked as the sixth-best prospect in the minors by CBS Sports coming into the season. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 240 pounds, Wood has raw power that could make him a top slugger in baseball. However, his high strikeout rate is a concern as he struck out in nearly 34% of his plate appearances in Double-A. Despite this, there are signs that Wood can become a productive player with superstar upside if he can lower his strikeout rate before reaching the majors.
In order to make room for Wood on their roster, Eddie Rosario was designated for assignment. This move signals that Wood’s talent and potential have impressed management enough to warrant a spot on the big league team. With his impressive play on both offense and defense, Wood could be an important asset to the Nationals as they continue their quest for success this season.
