The 2022 trade between the San Diego Padres and the Washigton Nationals involved a multitude of top prospects going from the former to the latter.
Of course, when you are trading for Juan Soto, you have to give up the farm, and that’s what the Padres did.
One of those prospects was outfielder James Wood, a player with immense raw power and speed but with notorious contact issues.
He was still far from the majors when the Nats acquired him.
Now, we can all feel he is getting closer and closer.
Despite a low .248 batting average and a 33.7 percent strikeout rate in Double-A last year, he managed to hit 18 home runs and steal 10 bases in just 87 games and produce a solid .826 OPS.
Now, Wood is having an impressive spring training and appears to be knocking on the Nationals’ door with every at-bat he has.
“Give the kid another! James Wood hits his third home run of Spring Training in just six games,” FOX Sports: MLB tweeted, with a video of the blast.
Give the kid another! James Wood hits his third home run of Spring Training in just six games.
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/P9oLTZPtJW
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 29, 2024
Wood took new St. Louis Cardinals starter Kyle Gibson deep in Thursday’s game and hasn’t stopped showcasing his amazing power.
In fact, many specialists compare him with a former top MLB slugger: Adam Dunn.
Like Dunn, Wood has towering power, strikeout problems, and the ability to take walks.
He also has some sneaky speed and could become a star if he can somewhat tone down the contact issues.
It’s easier said than done, but we have seen players with high strikeout rates become stars in the past.
NEXT: Top Nationals Prospect Already Making An Impression In Camp