The Washington Nationals are excited to announce that outfield prospect James Wood will make his MLB debut against the New York Mets. Wood has had a standout season in Triple-A, hitting .346 with 10 home runs, 34 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. At just 21 years old, Wood was drafted in the second round of the 2021 draft and was the centerpiece of a trade that sent Juan Soto to the Padres.
Wood joins other members of that trade, including MacKenzie Gore and CJ Abrams, on the Nationals roster. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 240 pounds, Wood is an impressive athlete with raw power that has the potential to 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, Wood’s on-base and slugging potential make him a productive player and there is a chance for 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 signifies how confident the Nationals are in Wood’s abilities and how much they believe he has to offer to their team. Rosario had been with the Nationals since 2018 and had been a key player in their success during that time. However, with Wood’s arrival, Rosario will have to find a new home elsewhere.
