By james art 
There are many reasons to be excited about the future of Washington nationalists, as they were given an idea of how the future might look like in the 2024 season.
One of the players who quickly cemented themselves as a fundamental piece was left player James Wood.
Acquired as part of the blockbuster Juan Soto Trade from San Diego Padres, he made his highly anticipated debut of the main league on July 1.
A correction period is required while Wood is fighting from the gate. But he showed why it was such a highly valuable perspective as he quickly came up with things, showing a high intelligent intelligence factor.
Wood eventually played in 79 games, making 336 appearances on the plate. He recorded a sliced line of .264/.354/.427, with full statistical sheet with nine home tracks, 13 pairs and four threes.
Despite the .245/.333/.357 cut line in its first month as a basic league, with well below medium -sized statistics such as OPS+, it finished the year with OPS+ 122 and RBAT+ from 124.
He was a legitimate creator of the dish difference, recording 1.8 Owar. What kept his general war of 1.1 was the undermining defense.
Wood has the talent and athleticism to play a solid left field, but that did not turn out to the beginning of his MLB career with a dwarf -1.0. We will hope that it will change as he receives more reps, but at least the nationals have a central player in Jacob Young, who is able to cover for some of the disadvantages of his left player.
What can Washington fans expect as an encore in 2025?
Based on some key indicators shared by Eno Saris by the athletic (required subscription), Wood has all the right ingredients to take where he stopped in 2024 and to bring his production to the next level.
Its deletion rate is low in terms of 28.9%, but it has a good understanding of the impact area by 11.6% on foot. Standing 6’7, ”of course there will be some holes in his swing, which he has to compensate.
One way to do this is to avoid pursuit of terrains outside the area.
This is an area where it is distinguished, as its 32%ZO shared by Sarris is bound to the second most well -wise breakthrough candidates with Alec Thomas of Arizona Diamondbacks.
And when it swings on these terrains in the area, Wood punishes the ball.
It has a maximum output speed of 111.6 miles / h, in fact it was one of the lower breaks, but its solid rate of 52% is # 1.
Its development has not yet been fully exposed, as it deals with tendonitis in its right four, which limited it in spring training. Wood managed to swing as there was no pain when she was in the dough box, but was only cleared for some light that works late last week.
Once cleared for full activity, he must be able to release a show during the Grapefruit League matches.