Report: James Wood promoted by Nationals, MLB’s No. 6 prospect and key player in Juan Soto trade

The Washington Nationals are set to call up outfield prospect James Wood to make his MLB debut on Monday against the New York Mets. Andrew Golden of the Washington Post reported that Wood, who has been playing in Triple-A this season, has been performing well with a .346/.458/.578 batting line, 10 home runs, 34 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. Wood, 21, was drafted in the second round of the 2021 draft and was a key player in the trade that sent Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres. He now joins MacKenzie Gore and CJ Abrams on the Nationals roster.

CBS Sports had ranked Wood as the sixth best prospect in the minors at the start of the season. He is known for his raw power and large frame, standing at 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds. While he may be prone to strikeouts due to his combination of length and patience, Wood’s potential as a slugger and his ability to get on base make him a valuable addition to the Nationals lineup. The team will need to make corresponding moves to add Wood to both the active and 40-player rosters.