After a strong rookie year last year, James Wood has broken out as one of the top stars in Major League Baseball. At just 22 years old, Wood is making a case for being a starter for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC).
Last season, Wood played 79 games for the Nationals and showed great promise, with a slash line of 264/.354/.427 and a 123 OPS+. This year, Wood made the Nationals’ Opening Day roster and, in the same number of games as last season, he has a .948 OPS and a 167 OPS+. Compared with the nine home runs he hit last year, he now has 22 home runs. He has more walks and fewer strikeouts in the same number of games and fewer at-bats.
Wood was a key piece in the trade that sent Juan Soto to the Padres in 2022. This trade has ended up being a monster haul for the Nationals, as Wood, MacKenzie Gore, and CJ Abrams are all tearing up the MLB currently, with two Nationals top 10 prospects, the recently promoted Robert Hassell III and Jarlin Susana, waiting to make an impact
Wood’s massive leap and 3.9 Wins Above Replacement at age 22 has come at an opportune time considering that the 2026 World Baseball Classic is less than a year away. The United States has a loaded outfield pool, but Wood’s strong lefty bat and above-average defense will definitely put him in contention.
At the 2023 World Baseball Classic, the USA selected five outfielders: Mookie Betts, Mike Trout, Kyle Schwarber, Kyle Tucker, Jeff McNeil, and Cedric Mullins. Betts has moved into the infield primarily and Wood has more WAR this season than every other outfielder selected. One could assume that if Trout is healthy, he will be there given his performance in the 2023 WBC where he went eight for twenty-seven, with two doubles, a triple, a home run, and seven RBIs. Kyle Tucker has been great for the Cubs this year so he looks like a lock for team USA. With Trout, Tucker, Schwarber, and Aaron Judge, if he is able to play, appearing to be locks for the USA outfield, Wood is a viable candidate for one of the final two outfield spots.
Although sixth in the entire MLB in WAR, the Nationals poor team performance takes Wood out of the race for the National League MVP. However, if the Nationals keep stockpiling young talent and Wood makes the USA roster for the 2026 WBC, Wood very well could win multiple MVPs this decade.
WBN WBC: https://worldbaseball.com/league/wbc/
Photo: Washington Nationals’ James Wood runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)
