Washington Nationals youngster James Wood is off to a rip-roaring start in Spring Training. The 21-year-old Wood has shown tremendous power at the plate. He did so yet again on Thursday, which mesmerized many onlookers.
Wood mashed a towering home run off St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Kyle Gibson on Thursday afternoon. Wood’s homer went way deep and ricocheted off the scoreboard in left-center field as it reached its destination.
“James Wood mashes his 3rd homer of Spring Training!” the MLB account loudly boasted.
Wood was a non-roster invitee to Nationals Spring Training this season. The 21-year-old was picked in the second round in the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft by the San Diego Padres. He was involved in the blockbuster Juan Soto trade that sent the slugger to San Diego. Wood, along with Luke Voit, MacKenzie Gore, C.J. Abrams, Robert Hassell III, and Jarlin Susana, were all traded to Washington back on August 2, 2022. Josh Bell was also involved in the deal.
In his minor league career, Wood has hit .291/.388/.527, good for an OPS of .915. So he’s shown an ability to get it done at the plate. He just might need a chance or three to keep hacking it.
Those who caught wind of the home run felt the need to stand and watch in awe. It was quite an impressive blast, to be sure, so it makes all the sense.
pic.twitter.com/5CselaNtOw https://t.co/QYSqyw0W53
— Redwine Ivan Nova (@Corey5771) February 29, 2024
He’s gonna be good but I’d do the trade every single time. You don’t pass up on Juan Soto because of a prospect idc what anyone says https://t.co/enDmSan2AL
— aj preller from wish (@FriaR_SD2) February 29, 2024
https://twitter.com/McDuffie2Heaven/status/1763271191593099584
[MLB]
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022