Nats rookie outfielder James Wood celebrating his 22nd birthday Tuesday. Since being called up to the majors on July 1, the Olney native has shown why he was rated as MLB’s top prospect. In his 67 games, Wood has displayed power to all fields, a keen batting eye and grace on the base paths. On Sunday, just two days before his birthday, Wood joined a very exclusive group of Nationals to have a multi-home run game before turning 22.
James Wood is the 5th player in Nationals/Expos franchise history with a multi-HR game before turning 22, joining:
Juan Soto (7)
Bryce Harper (5)
Luis García Jr.
Gary Carter https://t.co/KIlt0pdbOy— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 15, 2024
Those homers were the sixth and seventh of the year for Wood, who’s much more than just a power bat. Wood has shown his speed (13 steals), and patience at the plate (33 walks), while flashing the leather in left field. He has reached base safely in over 36% of his 284 career plate appearances. The only Nationals rookie to top that number in as many games? Juan Soto, for whom Wood was traded for.
Wood’s on-base percentage, combined with a slugging (total bases per at bat) mark of .426, gives Wood an OPS (on base percentage plus slugging) of .788. For context, that number (including other factors such as which park he’s playing in) shows that Wood is already 26% better than an average MLB hitter regardless of experience. Among rookies who have played as many games as Wood, only six have performed better.
Another stat you can use to compare Wood with others is wins above replacement (WAR). This stat tries to assess how many more games a team would win with the player in their ranks over an average player. Wood has already earned 1.4 WAR in his limited time in the majors. No current rookie has played in as many games and earned more.
A short drive up I-95 are the Orioles. Known for their young core, how do their rookies compare with Wood? Current AL Rookie of the Year candidate Colton Cowser has just 0.2 more career WAR in over 100 more games. Cowser’s teammate Jackson Holliday, who was often ranked in front of Wood on prospect lists, doesn’t even come close. Wood beats out the young shortstop by 1.6 WAR (the same as Cowser’s career mark) in just 16 more games.
Alongside CJ Abrams and MacKenzie Gore, Wood now makes up a third of the young Nationals core acquired from the Padres in that aforementioned trade for Juan Soto. They are not alone. Dylan Crews (who would have played for the Gaithersburg Giants in 2020), has also joined the Nats this season. Throw in minor leaguers Brady House and Travis Sykora, and you can see why the future is bright in Washington.
Photo Courtesy of Nationals on X
