James Wood is scaring pitchers

After an explosive week, pitchers are fearful of coming after James Wood

One sign that a player is a superstar is when pitchers are scared to throw them strikes. The most famous example of this is Barry Bonds, who was even intentionally walked with the bases loaded. A couple of recent Nats have been pitched around aggressively in Bryce Harper and Juan Soto.

Despite being 22 and in his first full season, pitchers are already wary when James Wood comes to the plate. Since the start of the Dodgers series, Wood has four homers and eight RBI’s in just six games. In that time, he also has eight walks.

Yesterday, the Marlins wanted no part of the 6’7 slugger, walking him three times. The pitchers looked like they had no interest in facing Wood, knowing one mistake could be sent into orbit. James Wood is a red hot hitter, and pitchers know it.

Wood’s quality of contact is ridiculous right now. He is in the 99th percentile for hard hit percentage and barrel rate. Wood is also now walking 16.9% of the time.

There is a reason pitchers are so scared of Wood. His opposite field power is simply stunning. The home run he hit in Miami was jaw dropping and even had the Marlins broadcast at a loss for words.

There are still plenty of problems with the Nats, but it is nice to know that they have a superstar in James Wood. We have been fortunate to have a number of special hitters come through DC over the years, so fans know what special hitters look like. Nationals fans now have another special hitter in James Wood.

He is such a unique player as well. Wood has the languid demeanor of an Anthony Rendon and is a quiet guy. However, when he hits the ball, it is a different kind of loud. Before the season, I called James Wood a baseball unicorn and he really is that.

He does not make any sense. Wood is 6’7 and can be kind of clumsy at times. However, he can run like the wind when he gets going, beating out seemingly routine ground balls at times.

James Wood is a power hitter, but barely ever pulls the ball. It is now en vogue to try to pull the ball to tap into more power, but that is not Wood’s game. He has such absurd power, he can hit it out to left center in any ballpark.

James Wood has a .978 OPS right now and it feels totally sustainable. He is going to take his walks due to a patient approach and putting the fear of god into pitchers. Wood is also going to hit frozen ropes and rack up the extra base hits.

The funny thing is that I think there are still things Wood can unlock in his game. He strikes out looking too much for my liking, something I think he can correct. While Wood will not and should not become a pull hitter, I think he can unlock a new level if and when he learns to turn on some of those inside pitches.

However, this “imperfect” hitter is still one of the best in the game and he is also just 22. There are All-Star games in James Wood’s future and they could come as soon as next year. I am going to be even more bold and say there could also be MVP’s in his future.

After losing both Soto and Harper, the Nationals need to lock up this young star. While he is repped by Scott Boras, Wood is a local boy. He grew up in Olney and went to high school at St. Johns before he went to IMG Academy. The Nationals have a hometown hero and they need to keep him around.

Pitchers know James Wood is a superstar already. He is the name that is circled on every opponents lineup card because they know what he can do. Wood is one of the best young hitters in baseball and he is scaring opposing pitchers. He is just 22, but pitchers do not want any part of the Nationals 6’7 star.