Nationals' James Wood: Not slowing down at Triple-A
Rotowire
Wood has hit safely in eight straight games for Triple-A Rochester, batting .324 (12-for-37) over that stretch with three doubles, three steals and a 5:8 BB:K.
The 21-year-old hasn't homered in 16 straight games, but he's hardly been quiet during that time. Wood's strikeouts have crept up since his blistering start to the season, which could give the Nationals cover to keep him in the minors a while longer, but his 93.9 mph average exit velocity is second in all of Triple-A, per MLB.com. It seems only a matter of time before he makes his big-league debut.
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Nationals' James Wood: Goes yard twice at Triple-A
Rotowire
Wood went 4-for-5 with a double, two solo home runs, two additional runs scored and a stolen base for Triple-A Rochester in Thursday's win over Buffalo.
The 21-year-old took Ricky Tiedemann deep in the third inning and then missed his chance to hit for the cycle by crushing a Hagen Danner offering 420 feet to center field in the eighth. Wood has had a blistering start to the season, batting .441 (15-for-34) with six doubles in addition to Thursday's long balls, and his 9:7 BB:K is an outstanding sign that the improved plate discipline he showed in spring training wasn't a mirage. Whether the Nationals want to promote Wood so soon is another question, but he may not be giving the organization much choice in the matter.
Nationals' James Wood: Starting season at Triple-A
Rotowire
Wood will begin the season with Triple-A Rochester, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.
The 21-year-old opened eyes this spring by batting .364 (16-for-44) with four homers, three steals and an 11:13 BB:K, and rather than return him to Double-A Harrisburg where he ended the 2023 campaign, the Nats will keep him one step away from the majors. If the improved approach at the plate Wood displayed this spring holds up in the regular season, it may not be long before he makes his big-league debut.
Nationals' James Wood: Reassigned to minor-league camp
Rotowire
The Nationals reassigned Wood to minor-league camp Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Wood turned heads in Grapefruit League play, slashing .342/.491/.707 with four home runs, three stolen bases and a 12:10 K:BB over 21 games. However, considering that he's just 21 and really struggled with strikeouts (33.7 percent) at Double-A Harrisburg last season, plus the fact that the Nationals won't be competitive this season, there was little incentive for the club to push him up the ladder aggressively. Wood could still debut at some point in 2024.
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Nationals' James Wood: Pops game-tying homer
Rotowire
Wood hit an opposite-field, game-tying home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League win over the Twins.
The icing on the cake was that the long ball was off a lefty hurler, minor-leaguer Denny Bentley. Wood now has four home runs this spring, though Thursday's was his first since the calendar flipped to March. Manager Dave Martinez praised both Wood and Dylan Crews after the game, saying the prospects are "not afraid of the big moment," per Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com. The 21-year-old Wood has not played above Double-A and still seems like a long shot to make the team, but the fact that he's still in big-league camp shows the organization is optimistic about his future and thinks he can contribute soon.
Wood (wrist) is expected to make an appearance off the bench in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Wood was scheduled to play in Saturday's game against the Cardinals, but he ended up being scratched as a precaution after he tweaked his right wrist on a check swing Friday. The 21-year-old is apparently good to go for the Nationals' final contest of the weekend and will look to continue what's been an impressive spring training. Though Wood remains likely to report to Double-A Harrisburg or Triple-A Rochester to begin the upcoming campaign, he's turned heads in Nationals camp with a .324/.457/.649 slash line over 17 Grapefruit League games.
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Nationals' James Wood: Scratched due to hit wrist
Rotowire
Manager Dave Martinez revealed that Wood was scratched from Saturday's game against the Cardinals after his bat handle hit his right wrist on a check-swing Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Wood was able to participate in batting practice Saturday, but he was not in the lineup in a precautionary move. Martinez added that Wood has been playing a lot in spring training and the team wanted to give the 21-year-old prospect some rest. Wood is hitting .324 with three home runs and three steals in 46 plate appearances this spring.
Wood was scratched from Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
No reason has been given for the change, but manager Davey Martinez noted that an explanation will be provided at the conclusion of Saturday's game. Wood is slashing .324/.457/.649 with three home runs and five RBI over 37 at-bats in spring training.
