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Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45One of the most impressive underclassmen on the showcase circuit and with the U.S. 18-and-under team in 2023, James looked like a slam-dunk first-rounder for 2025, but his stock slipped after he struggled last summer at the plate and lost some quickness. He put on one of the best batting practice displays at the East Coast Pro Showcase in August, then went 1-for-12 with six strikeouts in game action. The Nationals still took James in the fifth round this summer and signed him with a $2.5 million bonus, tied for the second-highest in Washington’s 2025 class.James gained some weight in the last year, adding strength but losing athleticism. His right-handed stroke doesn't look as smooth as it once did, and his swing decisions have regressed as well. Gatorade's North Carolina high school Player of the Year, he still shows 20-homer power, but he's selling out more to get to it.James now has fringy-to-average speed and isn't as dynamic on the bases or at shortstop. He still has good actions, reliable hands and a strong arm but he's covering less ground, making third or second a possibility in the pros. There’s still some upside on the dirt if he can get back to his earlier form with pro instruction from Nats coaches and coordinators.
