For Washington Nationals left fielder James Wood, celebrating his first Opening Day was anything but overwhelming.  After a rookie season where he played 79 games in the show, Wood officially has become the everyday starter in a lineup that needs him to produce now.

 

 

However, the novelty of his first opening day start was not missed. 

 

“That was a pretty special thing,” Wood told MLBbro.com reporter Mark Gray. “I had already played here a lot, but opening day was kind of surreal. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience.”

 

Wood, a native of Rockville, MD, hit .264 in 2024 in a lineup that offered no protection for a rookie going through growing pains and the transition from the minors. This hometown hero was under a bigger microscope locally than most rookies because he grew up about 40 minutes from Nats Park.

 

Washington lost 92 games last year and became a walking MASH unit with the magnitude of injuries after the All-Star break. There were times when Wood was dazzling with his range in the outfield. Other times, he struggled as many rookies do after starting their season in the minors.

 

 Despite the fan base embracing Wood, he was heard the boos for the team that became commonplace as the team crumbled.

 

“The toughest part for me was to keep away from all the noise from outside,” Wood says. 

 

At 6’7” Wood is an incredibly mobile athlete who covers acres of ground in the outfield with galloping steps.  His effortless defensive range makes him comparable to Hall of Fame MLBbro Dave Winfield. Those strides also make him a threat on the bases, where he travels 90 feet in giant leaps.  He finished the 2024 season with 14 stolen bases.

 

His MLB debut last season was highly anticipated: 

 

Bringing The Wood | The Nationals No. 1 Prospect is Being Called Up and James Wood is Ready to Dominate

 

The Nationals are counting on his power as he grows and have him hitting in the three-hole to open the season. Hitting third in their lineup doesn’t give him much protection, either. Washington brought back another MLBbro, Josh Bell, who opened the season hitting cleanup. After watching him develop during Spring Training, Bell is excited about having the youngster’s back.

 

“I can’t wait,” Bell tells MLBbro.com. “It’s going to be fun watching this guy develop”.

 

Woods hit his first home run of the season — back-to-backers — with shortstop CJ Abrams on March 31.  The Nats are 1-5 to start the season, but there’s plenty of time and talent to turn it all around.