Bringing the Wood to the OF - James Wood

[Smithian]

Will be interesting to see if Wood is at DH again today.

Alex Call has earned a starting spot for at least the immediate future. If Bell is good to go, I think he has to be your DH. I think that keeps Wood at LF.

I like Jacob Young and it would be great if he could get a couple hits and force the staff to wonder if they need to give Lowe/Bell some more occasional off days and force Wood to DH.

If Wood is at DH and Tena is on bench, the Nats are playing an average, maybe even above average, defensive group. A massive step up over recent years!

Even if I like the occasional good defensive lineup, I still think James Wood is too young to give up on him defensively in LF.

[imref]

.941 OPS, The guy we traded him for has an .846 OPS.

[IanRubbish]

.941 OPS, The guy we traded him for has an .846 OPS.

I’d bet Wood finishes with a higher OPS.  He’s got Soto’s patience with much better opposite field power because of his extension.   He’s elite offensively.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I’d bet Wood finishes with a higher OPS.  He’s got Soto’s patience with much better opposite field power because of his extension.   He’s elite offensively.

he's won't have the obp. He may beat him on ISO

[JCA-CrystalCity]

So, there's SpaceX as a pretty successful space lauch company. Blue Origin is a bust, and Boeing had the whole capsule problem. So, is James Wood the next best moonshot launcher in the USA?

[Slateman]

He seems to be okay as a DH

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Air Desmond suggests Jimmy Lumber.

[welch]

Air Desmond suggests Jimmy Lumber.

That's not bad, either. And I've already forgotten the guy we traded for him. And CJ and Gore and Hassell and that monster pitcher. Looks like another Rizzo steal.

[imref]

ChatGPT:

A good nickname for baseball player James Wood could play off his name, size (he’s known for being tall and powerful), or style of play. Here are a few ideas:
   1.   Big Timber – a fun play on his last name and his towering presence.
   2.   Woody – simple and classic.
   3.   The Lumberjack – nods to “wood” and his power at the plate.
   4.   J-Dub – casual and catchy, from his initials.
   5.   The Redwood – emphasizes his height and strength.
   6.   Home Run Wood – a bit on the nose, but great for fans.
   7.   Sluggin’ Wood – if he’s known for his bat.

[Slateman]

Lefty Stanton

[Smithian]

I know we blame Coles for all ills. Does he get credit for Call and Wood?

Or can we admit individual players have agency?

[varoadking]

I'm partial to Wood Butcher...

[zimm_da_kid]

if he could just up his fly ball percentage. 18.2% last year and 22.2% this year. Judge is at career 33.5%, trout at 30.8% (but way up the last 6 or so years, lined up with his homer uptick), Harper at 25.4%.

If he could just get his fb rate up to 25%, he'd be unstoppable

[imref]

https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/4/14/24408035/james-wood-scaring-pitchers

[IanRubbish]

https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/4/14/24408035/james-wood-scaring-pitchers

I agree with their point that his 970s OPS feels sustainable.  His exit velocity and hard hit rates are very strong.

All of his extra base hits this year have landed on the left side, at some point have to wonder if teams will start reverse shifting him in the OF, i.e. positioning against him as if he's a righty pull hitter.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I agree with their point that his 970s OPS feels sustainable.  His exit velocity and hard hit rates are very strong.

All of his extra base hits this year have landed on the left side, at some point have to wonder if teams will start reverse shifting him in the OF, i.e. positioning against him as if he's a righty pull hitter.

don't they do that some with Soto?

[welch]

don't they do that some with Soto?

Who is "Soto"?

[nobleisthyname]

Who is "Soto"?

He's a fringe prospect playing in the Nats rookie league:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=soto--000eli

[imref]

[Smithian]

The Jackson Merrill contract gives me hope he can be signed.

The Vlad Guerrero, Jr. contract takes away my hope he can be signed.

[imref]

Nusbaum:

James Wood's first-inning home run was the hardest hit home run by a National at Nationals Park in the Statcast era (2015-present).

116.3 mph.

[NatsLSU]

He is a freak. He’s better than advertised.

[zimm_da_kid]

Lerner LAC and Boras hold outness aside, what contract is he worth/gets a deal done?

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

Lerner LAC and Boras hold outness aside, what contract is he worth/gets a deal done?

Just enjoy him while we have him. You already know the inevitable outcome.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Lerner LAC and Boras hold outness aside, what contract is he worth/gets a deal done?

Take Bobby Witt's contract or Jackson Merrill's and inflate it. Maybe add a premium to the $/WAR for guys who compile a lot of WAR for the position? That seems to be a good model.