By TERRY LYONS, Editor-in-Chief
BOSTON – He’s the only player in the Majors with 20+ home runs and 10+ stolen bases. He ranks first in runs scored, and first in the National League in base-on-balls drawn. He’s first among NL outfielders in extra base hits which ranks second in the entire NL. He’s tops amongst NL outfielders in home runs, and tied for third amongst the National League home run leaders (Matt Olson). The stats and the rankings continue right through On Base Percentage, total bases, OPS (On base + Slugging).
James Wood is the best player no one has heard much about.
He made the NL All-Star team, he robs opponents of home runs with his 6-foot-6 frame and lengthy reach. He’s even hit an inside-the-park Grand Slam (May 19 vs. New York Mets).
Wood was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the second round of the 2021 amateur draft but later traded to Washington as part of a massive deal that sent Juan Soto to Southern California. Wood’s Nationals teammate in shortstop C.J. Abrams was part of the same deal and they’re both destined for many an All-Star Game appearance.
Wood is 23 years old. Abrams is 25.
On Monday night, just as the folks at Fenway Park were settling in for a gorgeous summer night, Wood stepped up to face Red Sox starter Ranger Suarez – left handed batter vs. left handed pitcher. The second pitch of the game landed 441 feet away from home plate. Gone.
That is the power of Washington’s young lead-off hitter. It was his ninth lead-off homer of his career and the sixth of the 2026 season. The blast was his 61st major league home run, 31 in 2025 and 21 this season (and counting).
Wood played in 157 of 162 regular season games in 2025. As of Monday, he played in every single one of Washington’s 86 games, reaching base safely in 34 of his last 42 games. His No. 1 ranking in runs scored means he’s crossed the plate 73 times and it’s not even the 4th of July.
To say Wood is the best player in baseball is a tough statement to make, considering the Ohtani, Judge, Schwarber trifecta, and a host of other talented veteran players. But to say he’s the best young, 23-year old player in baseball might be the way to go.
Wood grew up in Richmond, Virginia, the son of a talented University of Richmond basketball star in his father, Kenny. Wood’s 6-foot-8 uncle, Howard, grew up in East Hampton, Long Island and went on to play basketball for the University of Tennessee and then with the NBA’s Utah Jazz but played only 48 games as a pro. Suffice to say, the athleticism is there and the 6-foot-6 frame provides the younger Wood with some serious base-running, defense and torque producing swings which can send baseballs into space.
After zipping through the minors, Wood is now in his third season in the big leagues.
He’ll surely be representing the Nationals when the All-Star Game celebrates America’s 250th in Philadelphia in mid-July.
His next goal will be to play Major League Baseball in October. But, with Boston shelling Nationals starter Miles Mikolas in the first inning Monday night, then adding insurance in the second and third frames, Woods’ Nats are playing only .500 ball (43-43). Mikolas pitched seven innings, allowed nine hits, six earned runs, and two home runs in defeat.
Boston’s starter, Ranger Suarez, pitched six innings, allowing five hits and three runs, including the solo, lead-off HR to Woods.
The victory, a 6-3 breeze, was Boston’s fifth straight, their sixth of seven and eighth of the last 11 games.
The two clubs will play two additional games Tuesday and Wednesday before the Red Sox take an off day to fly to California to face the LA Angels.
The Nationals will enjoy an off day on July 2, then head home to play a nine game homestand surrounding the 4th of July festivities and concluding with the MLB All-Star break – July 13-16.