The 2024 season is here and while the Washington Nationals are still in the midst of a rebuild, they have a player in James Wood whose stats from the spring scream that he should’ve been on the squad’s opening day roster. The dynamic 21-year-old who stands a towering 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds had a wonderful spring batted (.364) 16-44 with four homers and three steals.
Washington Nationals Sent James Wood Back to Minors
Despite his standout spring the team decided against putting him on the opening day roster, but they didn’t send him back to Double-A Harrisburg where he finished the 2023 season either. Team brass opted to send him to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings which means he’s only one step from joining the big leagues. Thus far this season Wood is batting .400 with one RBI, but it’s still very early.
Wood Has Been Compared To Yankees Superstar Aaron Judge
Because of his size, speed and raw power Wood has been compared to Yankees superstar Aaron Judge, a five-time All-Star and 2022 AL MVP. Many evaluators believe Wood is a better pure athlete than Judge, while displaying similar power at the plate to all parts of the field.
One can understand why the Nationals are taking their time with Wood. He’s a future star and face of the franchise along with 2023 first-round pick and No.2 overall Dylan Crews, who’s the franchise’s No.1 ranked prospect. No.7 overall according to MLB Pipeline.
In a recent radio interview on the Danny & Grant Show on 106.7FM sports radio, Crews raved about his teammate.
“James Wood in my opinion, he’s big league ready for sure. Just the way he handles himself every day, and the way his at-bats are, it just looks so easy. The way he can hit anything at any moment, no matter what count it is, and be able to drive a ball 450 feet, it’s unbelievable. Pretty cool to see. He’s a special player, and I’m glad he’s on my team.”
Crews and Wood spent a good portion of the 2023 season together with the aforementioned Double-A Harrisburg squad. It’s highly plausible they’ll be together at some point this season in Triple-A as well, unless Wood gets bumped up early to the majors or Crews struggles down at Harrisburg.
In Mike Rizzo We Trust?
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has generally pulled the right strings as it pertains to when and when not to bring a player up. He knows Wood is destined to join the Big League club sooner than later, but he’s also making sure he’s fully equipped. In a recent appearance also on the Grant & Danny Show he said:
“Nobody ever blocks a great player.”
“When players are ready to get to — and impact the big league club, they’ll get here, and they’ll be in there every day.”
Wood’s time is coming, and he just needs to continue to progress and develop, because he’s got superstar written all over him.
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