Bringing the Lumber to the OF - James Wood

[JCA-CrystalCity]

This will be the first major decision for Toboni on a position player. It’s not if, but when. He is not going to right the ship himself by staying on the 26 man.

well,they already made a decision on Crews, so it won't be the first. I think they have decided whatever Wood's problems are, they can be worked out in the majors (unlike Crews). If he persists in flailing, then it will be the most visible change of their judgment.

I think they have told him to swing more but he's swinging at junk and losing the selectivity that's his game. From the peanut gallery, I would maybe go the opposite way and have him narrow the zone he swings at.

[aspenbubba]

well,they already made a decision on Crews, so it won't be the first. I think they have decided whatever Wood's problems are, they can be worked out in the majors (unlike Crews). If he persists in flailing, then it will be the most visible change of their judgment.

I think they have told him to swing more but he's swinging at junk and losing the selectivity that's his game. From the peanut gallery, I would maybe go the opposite way and have him narrow the zone he swings at.

I don’t think Crews was a major decision at the same level as Wood. Crews was being criticized as early as his first call up in 2024. He never had a successful run as Wood did in the first half of 2025. All Crews had was his college pedigree and draft position.

[English Natsie]

'Mr Wood regrets, he's unable to launch today...' (sorry, Cole...) 

[welch]

Frank Howard used to strike out, but not like this.

[catocony]

A Golden Sombrero on opening day is not a good look. 

[Slateman]

A Golden Sombrero on opening day is not a good look. 

Judge did it

[hotshot]

Frank Howard used to strike out, but not like this.

Also hit 10 home runs over a six-game span from May 12–18, 1968 including a record-setting 7 homers in a four-game stretch.

[aspenbubba]

After 4 games leading off he has 17 AB's and 9 K's with 3 BB. For those mathematically challenged he is striking out over 50% of the time. Maybe he should be batting lower in the line up like 6 or 7th.

[imref]

Wood could be swapping places with Crews fairly soon.

[aspenbubba]

He should be sent to Rochester with a 1B glove to learn the position. They already have enough OF’s in Crews Pinckney Hassell and Franklin. Morales’s at this point has a very low ceiling.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Wood is 3 for 21 on balls in play for a .143 BABIP. 5 hits on the year, 2 were homers so not in play, 40 ABs, 17 Ks. His BABIP prior to this year has been over .350. The contact is hard (average EV 90.6 mph) but not as hard as in the past. While the K% is up a bit (5%), he's also hitting a lot more pop ups (10%). Doesn't matter how hard you hit an infield fly. He's lost the liners, too (22.6% career, 8.7% 2026). To me, it looks like more of a problem of being slightly off on his contact rather than not making contact.
https://www.fangraphs.com/players/james-wood/29518/stats/batting

I don't think it needs the rework or there's a big hole in swing, so I don't think minors would help as much as it should for Crews. I don't know if he's comfortable leading off unless it's for his development (that is, how he'd be pitched if he hits there or what sort of discipline it brings him). The only thing I'd say about keeping him there is it's not hurting run production much for the team (don't mess with team success).

[nobleisthyname]

He should be sent to Rochester with a 1B glove to learn the position. They already have enough OF’s in Crews Pinckney Hassell and Franklin. Morales’s at this point has a very low ceiling.

None of those guys have proven anything at the big league level.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Wood now up to .268 with an .930 OPS. Plus no bad plays on defense in right.

[aspenbubba]

None of those guys have proven anything at the big league level.

What 's your point. Rochester has enough OF's and let them get playing time and develop. And this is moot as Wood is on a tear.

[nobleisthyname]

What 's your point. Rochester has enough OF's and let them get playing time and develop. And this is moot as Wood is on a tear.

Wood is fine in the outfield. No point in moving him to a new position he doesn't know in favor of a player that hasn't proven anything. If there aren't enough outfield spots for the unproven guys then trade them.

But for all the outfield depth the Nats have, Wood is the only one of them that has both the pedigree and major league track record (Young too I suppose in the sense we know what he is).

[welch]

Nothing wrong with Wood. He can play the outfield and hit. No need to teach him 1B, since there are always 1B free agents available. They range from the Dom Smith quality to Josh Bell up to the Alonso level. Garcia is OK for now.

In fact, if Washington had a normal owner, the way it had Ted Lerner, the team would be negotiating extensions for Wood (and CJ and Lile) right now. Maybe some won't sign, but all three are worth something more than a couple prospects each.

[IanRubbish]

In fact, if Washington had a normal owner, the way it had Ted Lerner, the team would be negotiating extensions for Wood (and CJ and Lile) right now. Maybe some won't sign, but all three are worth something more than a couple prospects each.

What the Lerners have always done with Boras clients is get some story into the press about some offer they made that the player rejected, even though they always knew there was zero chance of the offer being accepted.  They'll probably do the same with Wood before he comes a Phillie.  Only question will be do they trade him at Arb2 which has been the pattern of late to save even more Lernerbucks, or actually let him play out his full time under team control.

[Slateman]

What the Lerners have always done with Boras clients is get some story into the press about some offer they made that the player rejected, even though they always knew there was zero chance of the offer being accepted.  They'll probably do the same with Wood before he comes a Phillie.  Only question will be do they trade him at Arb2 which has been the pattern of late to save even more Lernerbucks, or actually let him play out his full time under team control.

Except for when they extended a Botas client

[Smithian]

I was pretty terrified a week ago but I think he’ll be okay

[tomterp]

I was pretty terrified a week ago but I think he’ll be okay

You could say that about most of the lineup after the horrible spring. 

[imref]

Wood could be swapping places with Crews fairly soon.

This was my worst post ever.

Last 7 games:
.444/.531/.889
3 HR
10 RBI
4 BB | 5 K
24 TB
1.420 OPS

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I wonder if he's in the running for player of the week

[Lintyfresh85]

Love that Butera went outside the box with Wood and CJ essentially flopping lineup spots. It's worked wonders. Gets our best hitter the most PAs and let's CJ be aggressive and not worry so much about getting on-base.

[imref]

I wonder if he's in the running for player of the week

gotta be, right? Might need to make a kalshi wager on MVP as well.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Love that Butera went outside the box with Wood and CJ essentially flopping lineup spots. It's worked wonders. Gets our best hitter the most PAs and let's CJ be aggressive and not worry so much about getting on-base.

There's something to putting your best hitter leadoff. As much as we blast Davey now, his decision to hit Schwarber leadoff worked incredibly well.