James Wood: Nationals’ Power & Bonds Comparisons
- Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood found himself in rare company during Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels.
- Despite entering the game with 22 home runs, Angels pitchers opted too intentionally walk Wood four times in six plate appearances.
- Since 1955, only Roger Maris, Garry Templeton, Manny Ramirez, adn Andre Dawson (who was intentionally walked five times in a 1990 game) have achieved this dubious honor.
James Wood, the Nationals’ rising star, commanded attention, drawing four intentional walks-a feat not seen since Barry Bonds in 2004. This remarkable performance positions the Nationals’ outfielder among baseball’s elite.wood showcased his power, earning him comparisons to Juan Soto and Bryce Harper. Discover how Wood’s extraordinary statistics,including a projected 31 home runs and a .863 OPS, are reshaping the Nationals’ outlook. The team is fighting toward a winning season, with Wood leading in WAR. News Directory 3 delivers the key moments of Wood’s performance, detailing his impact on the Nationals’ game. What does this meen for the future of the Nationals? Discover what’s next …
Nationals’ Wood Joins Elite Company With Intentional Walks
Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood found himself in rare company during Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels.
Despite entering the game with 22 home runs, Angels pitchers opted too intentionally walk Wood four times in six plate appearances. This feat puts him in a select group,as the last player to be intentionally walked four times in a game was Barry bonds in 2004.
Since 1955, only Roger Maris, Garry Templeton, Manny Ramirez, adn Andre Dawson (who was intentionally walked five times in a 1990 game) have achieved this dubious honor.
Wood did manage a hit in his two at-bats and stole a base. The Nationals ultimately defeated the Angels 7-4 in 11 innings.
Since joining the Nationals in 2024, James Wood has become a key player. His 162-game average projects to 31 home runs, 105 RBIs, a .274 batting average, and an .863 OPS. Some have drawn comparisons between his performance and that of Juan Soto and Bryce Harper.
“Those are some of the best guys to put on a jersey,” Wood said.”I definitely strive to be guys like that… I know I got a long way to go, but it’s definitely cool.”
Wood’s primary focus remains on helping Washington return to its winning ways. The Nationals’ record improved to 35-49 with the victory over the Angels. The team has not surpassed 80 wins as their World series-winning season in 2019.
Currently, Wood leads the Nationals in wins above replacement (WAR) with a 3.9 rating.
