ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Reports indicate that the Washington Nationals will promote top prospect James Wood to make his major league debut on Monday against the New York Mets.
Wood, 21, acquired in the trade that sent Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres, is currently the third-ranked prospect in MLB. The 6-foot-7, 234-pound outfielder has exhibited significant power in the minors.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez, speaking before Friday night’s series opener against Tampa Bay, did not confirm the move but expressed enthusiasm for Wood’s arrival.
“I’m very excited when he does get here,” Martinez said. “He’s an outstanding kid. I’m looking forward to working with him.”
This season, Wood is batting .346 with 10 homers and 34 RBIs in 51 games for Triple-A Rochester. In 2023, he hit 26 homers in Class A and Double-A.
“He’s a student of the game,” Martinez said. “He wants to learn and get better. Remember, he’s still just 21. He’s learning a lot about himself, but he has unbelievable talent.”
Born in Rockville, Maryland, Wood was drafted 62nd overall by the Padres in 2021 from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He joined the Nationals in August 2022 in the Soto trade, which also brought shortstop CJ Abrams and left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore to Washington.
Abrams and Gore have become key players on a rebuilding team that has remained competitive, currently sitting three games out of an NL wild-card spot with a 38-42 record.
“We lost a great player,” Martinez said. “But the quality players we got in return, who are helping us in the big leagues now, make our future bright.”
