Wood (No. 2 MLB prospect) goes oppo for first Nats homer

After tearing up the Minors, it was only a matter of time before Nationals phenom James Wood connected on his first homer — and sure enough, MLB’s No. 2 prospect got on the board on Saturday in his sixth Major League game.

Wood’s first homer was an opposite-field three-run shot off Cardinals veteran Lance Lynn that extended Washington’s lead to 7-0 in the second inning. Wood had been 5-for-19 with four walks entering the at-bat; the homer is also his first extra-base hit in the Majors.

The Maryland native’s display of power did not stop there. In his third plate appearance of the day, the left-handed batter’s patience at the plate paid dividends. He was able to connect with the seventh pitch from Lynn during a long at-bat, a 94.6 mph fastball, and drove the ball into left field — with an exit velocity of 104.2 mph — exactly 50 feet short of where he sent his homer just one frame earlier. His first career double brought in CJ Abrams and Trey Lipscomb in the third inning.

He is the third player age 21 or younger (at the time of the game) in Nats/Expos franchise history with one homer, a double and five RBIs in a game. He joins Victor Robles (Sept. 26, 2018) and Ryan Zimmerman (Aug. 18, 2006). Wood also joins the Giants’ Luis Matos, who accomplished a similar feat (six RBIs) on May 18.

Before his callup, Wood, 21, had hit .353 with 10 homers and 37 RBIs in 52 games for Triple-A Rochester this season. Wood hit a combined 26 homers across two Minor League levels in 2023.