Washington Nationals Top Prospect James Wood Promoted To Double-A Harrisburg | The Top 10 MLB Prospect Is Blazing His Trail To The Show

Washington Nationals Top Prospect James Wood Promoted To Double-A Harrisburg | The Top 10 MLB Prospect Is Blazing His Trail To The Show

by | Jun 1, 2023 | 5TH SLOT

Washington Nationals top-ranked prospect James Wood is a towering presence standing 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds.

 

The 2021 second-round draft pick of the San Diego Padres, who was acquired in the blockbuster Juan Soto trade last summer, has all the tools to be one of the prominent faces of a young, rising Nationals franchise in the very near future. In fact, he may have that opportunity much sooner than anticipated as on Sunday the slugging lefty was promoted from Single-A Wilmington to Double-A Harrisburg.

 

James Wood Almost Ready For The Show

 

 

 

The 20-year-old Woods has more than proven his ability to handle the game at the minor league level. He has a Big League approach with his batting prowess and ability to draw walks. In 42 games with Wilmington, Woods batted .293 with eight homers and 36 RBI. He also tallied nine doubles, five triples, eight stolen bases, a .392 on-base percentage and a .972 OPS.

 

Nationals Manager Excited About James Wood

 

The power that Wood possesses definitely has the attention of Nationals manager Dave Martinez, who told reporters this after the team announced the promotion of the No.7 overall prospect in MLB Pipeline.

 

 

“When he hits the ball, he hits it hard,”Martinez said. “And he’s walking, so that’s a good sign. They felt this was like the time to move him up, and he definitely deserved a shot to go up to Double-A.”

 

 

Of the five prospects the Nationals received in exchange for superstar Juan Soto last summer, Wood is by far the best, and his ascension only proves it even more.

 

 

 

The Nationals have a strong history of promoting prospects in mid-to-late June or early July, but in this instance, they decided not to wait until then to make the call on Wood, who will likely be their future cleanup hitter. The move also suggests that Wood, whose expected major league arrival is currently 2025, may get a call-up to the big leagues as soon as 2024.

 

 

Martinez And Nationals Are Big On Prospect Development

 

Wood’s promotion is a prime example of what the Nationals are focused on just 3.5 seasons removed from winning the franchise’s first and only World Series championship.

 

Only pitchers Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin remain from the 2019 World Series team, so in essence the team is in a completely rebuilt. And that’s just fine with Martinez, who takes pride in seeing players develop.

 

“For me, it’s all about development for our young players,” Martinez said. “He’s still really young, he’s learning a lot. I’d like to see him play all three outfield positions, because you never know what the need will be here when he gets here. Hopefully he goes down there and plays all three. But he’s going to be a good one. He’s learning a lot, and he’s getting better.”

 

Wood will excel at every level, his skill set just exudes the various elements it takes to be successful. Of course, Woods will encounter growing pains along the way, but the Nationals have themselves a real Bro Bomber who is just one of a crop of MLBbros that have been taking over our nation’s capital. 

With 2021 In His Rearview, MLBbro Carl Edwards Jr. Has Found A Home In Washington

With 2021 In His Rearview, MLBbro Carl Edwards Jr. Has Found A Home In Washington

by | Jul 7, 2022 | THE THREE SPOT

Carl Edwards Jr. is playing with his fifth team in the last three seasons. The brother has certainly bounced around the league. The Washington Nationals took a shot on Edwards this season despite his struggles the past few years.

Edwards has shown that he can be effective on the mound and that people should not write him off.

 

In Case Y’all Didn’t Know | MLBbros Shining As Elite MLB Relievers

 

When he joined the team in May, he immediately made his presence felt on the mound. After allowing three runs in his season debut, Edwards did not allow a run in his next 13 appearances.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez is very familiar with Edwards, as the two were together in Chicago with the Cubs. Martinez remembers what Edwards brought to the mound and he wanted Edwards to be a part of his team in the nation’s capital.

“I knew all along if he could stay healthy, and throw strikes, that he could help us, and he’s doing that right now,” Martinez said of Edwards back in June according to an article from NBC Sports. “I’ve had him, like I said, he was with me in Chicago, we knew what he could do if he pounded the strike zone, and his focus right now is throwing strikes, and he’s done a great job. I’ve used him in different situations, but he’s really done a great job for us.”

Edwards dealt with multiple injuries in 2021 and he only made seven appearances that entire season playing with two teams. He appeared in one game with the Atlanta Braves giving up three earned runs in 0.1 innings of work and then made six appearances with the Toronto Blue Jays, giving up four earned in 5.1 innings.

It was a trying year for Edwards as he looked to get back healthy and to make a comeback going forward. He’s certainly been doing just that this season and has been effective out of the bullpen for the Nationals by cutting down on the finesse and just rearing back and letting it loose. 

“I’m not trying to nibble,” he said. “The more you’re in the strike zone, the more contact you get so the best thing for me with the way I have been pitching is if I’m getting weak contact and throwing 15 pitches less in an inning, it helps me out for the next day’s recovery. I have a speedier recovery. If I throw more, the recovery takes a little longer.”

 

 

Through 26 games, he has a 2-3 record with a 3.60 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 30 innings of work. He has not appeared in this many games since the 2018 season when he made 58 appearances for the Cubs.

This is definitely a good sign to see from Edwards and although the Nationals have struggled this year, he’s been a bright spot out of the bullpen.

And Edwards is having fun being a part of the team as well.

“I love this team,” he said. “I’m relaxed here, but it just goes to show if anything happens and I’m not here, I’m still gonna wish these guys the best for the upcoming years. It’s because, like I said, these guys was the team that really had interest in me and was willing to give me the opportunity so it’s all I can do is say than you and continue to be myself.”

Watching Edwards throughout the season just goes to show you that you should never give up when adversity hits, and always put your best foot forward and work hard every day. That’s what grinding out a career at the major league level is all about.