Follow the Prospects: James Wood, OF

[imref]

2-4, 2HR and a walk. 6 RBIs in game one.

This is ridiculous

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

2-4, 2HR and a walk. 6 RBIs in game one.

This is ridiculous

It’s time.  He is our 2nd best hitter immediately even if he doesn’t hit a lick against lefties.  Development doesn’t freeze when you get promoted.  He should now be challenged by big league pitching and the sooner he can go through those growing pains and adjust, the sooner he can become the star we need him to be to contend in the coming years.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

First HR was against a lefty…

https://twitter.com/packthebrew/status/1789415495399100441/mediaviewer

[IanRubbish]

First HR was against a lefty…

He only hit it because he was wearing his lucky cleats, he needs to be able to hit lefties in any kind of shoe before being called up

[Natsinpwc]

He only hit it because he was wearing his lucky cleats, he needs to be able to hit lefties in any kind of shoe before being called up

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Gonna reset the poll to zero. Initially, wait until end of May before thinking about it got half the vote, with a quarter saying now and the rest split over manage the time to avoid super 2 or 2024 RotY and wait until far enough in the year so he has rookie status in 2025.

I'm modifying the top choice as we are practically arguing over 2 weeks now and management has said ks vs lefties is a main reason for more work. i'm also changing option 1 to be more impatient and not invent other flaws in his game.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

41% of his flies this year have gone for homers.

31% of his contact has been line drives, which kind of explains why he's only hitting 16% flies.

His numbers are comical.

[imref]

International league player of the week. 



Only hit 3 home runs during their off day today.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I heard that officials at Niagara Falls are tired of having to rescue folks who dive in where his homers land.

[imref]

Do you mean Lake Ontario?

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

It has to be soon. Its almost comical at this point that he's not up. He's probably better than 90% of the big league roster lol

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Do you mean Lake Ontario?

Air traffic control confirms that those balls people are jumping for near the Falls are Wood homers it in Rochester.

I've also heard that Wood is so adept at base stealing that, when he is on base, they make him go 270' to steal a base, shuttling back to 1st, in order to make things fair for catchers.

[imref]

Air traffic control confirms that those balls people are jumping for near the Falls are Wood homers it in Rochester.

I've also heard that Wood is so adept at base stealing that, when he is on base, they make him go 270' to steal a base, shuttling back to 1st, in order to make things fair for catchers.

[imref]

Sam Dykstra:

The Nationals' top prospect leads the Minors’ top level with a 94.6 mph average exit velocity. Only Aaron Judge (96.2), Juan Soto (95.7) and William Contreras (94.8 ) have higher average EVs in the Majors among those with at least 50 batted-ball events.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

3 for 4 tonight.  It’s time.

[IanRubbish]

3 for 4 tonight.  It’s time.

Plus a walk, OBP up to .455

[JCA-CrystalCity]

They say George Washington threw a coin across the Potomac.

James Wood walked across the Potomac to return the coin to the Virginia side.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

K rate is down to 19.5%.  Zero excuse to keep him down longer.

[DCsOwn]

From Keith Law’s chat today:

James: With respect to James Wood, outside of the improved numbers, have you seen or gotten reports that he’s actually taken a step forward in some of the areas of concern that you had for him coming into this season?

Keith Law: His slider recognition seems to be way, way improved from last year. I’m a little skeptical of any player’s improved plate discipline with the ABS in play in AAA, but he seems to have made a real change.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Shut out back to back times by the White Sox, but Wood can’t help us?

[Natsinpwc]

Shut out back to back times by the White Sox, but Wood can’t help us?

That’s not the relevant question. Team is not competing this year. Question is if he is ready?  And he sure looks like he is.

[Natsinpwc]

From Keith Law’s chat today:

James: With respect to James Wood, outside of the improved numbers, have you seen or gotten reports that he’s actually taken a step forward in some of the areas of concern that you had for him coming into this season?

Keith Law: His slider recognition seems to be way, way improved from last year. I’m a little skeptical of any player’s improved plate discipline with the ABS in play in AAA, but he seems to have made a real change.

Anti lock braking system? ABS?

[imref]

Automatic ball-strike system?

[Natsinpwc]

Automatic ball-strike system?

Ahhhh.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

That’s not the relevant question. Team is not competing this year. Question is if he is ready?  And he sure looks like he is.

You can't help the team unless you're ready.  They go hand-in-hand.  AAA pitching isn't challenging him.  Clearly.  His development is best served being challenged by MLB pitchers.  Even "exposed" at times.  The sooner he gets "exposed," the sooner he can adjust.  And once he adjusts, he's going to be a star.  Being "Ready" now doesn't mean he comes up and dominates.  He may struggle some.  Still, it's best for his long-term development, and even with struggles, he's going to be one of our best bats and help win games.