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Sometimes the only thing that can stand in the way of a top prospect and his big-league promotion is injury. That certainly appears to be the case when it comes to the Washington Nationals' top overall prospect, James Wood.
The hulking 6-foot-67 outfielder made his mark in spring training with four homers and a 1.070 OPS across 22 games and went on to mash Triple-A pitching to the tune of a .355 average with nine homers, 10 stolen bases and a 1.061 OPS across 202 plate appearances before hamstring injury sent him to the injured list. Wood has been out since May 23 as a result.
Let's dive in and check in on Wood's prospect status, his injury, and what fantasy managers could expect when his time in The Show rolls around.
James Wood Prospect Update for Fantasy Baseball
It's hard to imagine that Wood would still be in the minor leagues had it not been for a hamstring strain. His production speaks for itself, and even at just 21 years of age, he has raked his way through every minor-league stop in his path to the game's highest level.
The good news is Wood has officially been activated off the injured list and is in the starting lineup for Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday. As a result, it likely won't be long before he is in the nation's capital.
The #Nationals have announced the following roster moves:
ADD: OF Dylan Crews, transferred from Double-A Harrisburg
CHANGE: OF James Wood, reinstated from the Injured List
CHANGE: C Jarrett Gonzales, placed on the Development List
CHANGE: INF Erick Mejia, placed on the…
— Red Wings Communications (@RedWingsPR) June 18, 2024
Let's consider the Nationals' offensive ranks entering play on Tuesday.
Home Runs: 28th
Runs: 23rd
OPS: 24th
ISO: 28th
wOBA: 25th
wRC+: 25th
While the Nationals won't be targeting a championship run in the 2024 season, there is little sense in keeping Wood in the minors any longer, health permitting.
James Wood Outlook for Fantasy Baseball
Wood certainly owns that desired power/speed combination that fantasy managers crave coming out of the minor leagues. At just 20 years of age in 2023, Wood combined for 26 home runs and 18 stolen bases in 129 games between High-A and Double-A. He met Triple-A pitching head-on out of the gate in 2024 as the 2021 second-round pick was knocking on the door of the big leagues roughly one year removed from beginning the 2023 season at High-A.
James Wood has been getting on base all year, and now the @Nationals' No. 2 prospect has tapped into his power.
Four homers in his past three games for the @RocRedWings. pic.twitter.com/uTfeGYZmH1
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 11, 2024
Whether he can hit the ground running in the big leagues remains to be seen, but fantasy managers shouldn't have to wait much longer, barring an injury setback, for Wood's fantasy impact in 2024.
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