James Wood

Wood could go down as the best player the Nationals received from the Padres in the Juan Soto trade. His massive frame (6-foot-7, 240 pounds) and propensity to strike out as an amateur led to long-term hit tool concerns entering the year. However, Wood's 20.7 K% and 14.3 BB% as a 19-year-old at Single-A have tabled any plate skill concerns for the time being. He uses the whole field and does a good job squaring the ball up (31.0 Hard%), and there's little debate he will be a big-time slugger at peak. In addition to monitoring Wood's hit tool as he faces better pitching, the way his plus speed ages will be something to track, as it's quite easy to envision him filling out to the point that he is more of a 10-to-15 steal threat early on in the majors. Wood plays center field now, but that's another aspect of his game he might outgrow. He is on track to reach the majors in 2024 or 2025, depending on how well he handles upper-level pitching. Read Past Outlooks