One of MLB’s brightest young stars is finally set to step onto the big stage.
According to multiple reports, Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood, the No. 3 ranked prospect in baseball, will be called up to the team.
Wood will make his MLB debut on Monday when the Nationals open a four-game series against the favored Mets.
The 6-foot-7 Wood had a stellar batting average of .346 with a 1.036 OPS and 10 home runs in 51 Triple-A games.
The 2021 second-round draft pick had a big spring training start, batting .364 with a .705 slugging percentage and a 19.3 percent walk rate.
Wood, 21, was one of the main players brought back by the Nationals when they traded superstar outfielder Juan Soto to San Diego two years ago.
Several other notable prospects have also traveled to Washington and performed well so far.
Shortstop C.J. Abrams has improved, posting a weighted run creation plus-131 (100 average) and 1.7 wins above replacement in 2024, ranking seventh among NL shortstops.
Similarly, left-handed starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore is having his best year as a pro, posting a 3.81 ERA and 10.48 strikeouts per nine innings.
The Nationals are 38-42 and in fourth place in the NL East, and are 12-12 in June.
Wood should immediately add some offensive muscle to a lineup that has had limited opportunities to shine this year.
The Nationals’ 67 home runs are 29th in the major leagues, and only Abrams and veteran outfielder Jesse Winker are batting significantly above average.
The timing of Wood’s promotion will be key as Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo decides whether to buy or sell before the July 30 trade deadline.
Despite a sub-.500 winning percentage, the Nationals are just three games out of the final wild-card spot in the tight National League playoff race.
Washington travels to Tampa Bay this weekend for a three-game series before Wood’s long-awaited debut on Monday.
