Nationals' James Wood surging to create 40-20 history

Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood didn't need to watch the conclusion of Monday's grand slam.

He apparently can feel history being created. He didn't need to watch it.

Emotionlessly, Wood simply dropped his bat after delivering a 446-foot blast and looked toward the first-base dugout at Nationals Park. No yells. No smiles. Not even a grin as the stoic 23-year-old started his home-run trot.

The Nationals ended up needing Wood's 24th homer, which came on a 96-mph four-seam fastball by Houston Astros reliever AJ Blubaugh. Despite building a six-run advantage, the Nationals withstood a late rally, securing a 12-11 victory.

Developing into one of the league's top four-seam fastball hitters, Wood connected on a 97-mph fastball last Saturday, the game-opening offering from Pittsburgh Pirates starter Braxton Ashcroft. The solo shot proved to be all of the Nationals' offense during a 7-1 loss. 

A two-time NL All-Star, Wood, a third-year big leaguer, entered Tuesday with the league's fifth-best wRC+ rating (153) and eighth-best fWAR (3.4). 

Entering Tuesday with 24 homers and 14 stolen bases, Wood remains trending to develop into the fourth player aged 23 or under to post a 40-20 campaign, joining Ronald Acuña Jr., Alex Rodriguez, and Mike Trout.

Through 92 games, Wood was pacing 42 homers and 24 stolen bases.

Nationals' James Wood leading up-and-coming squad

Wood continues to develop into one of the league's top young talents, becoming the fifth player to cross home plate at least 80 times before the All-Star break. Here is a list:

Season, Player, Runs Scored

• 2026, James Wood, 81, entering Tuesday
• 2025, Aaron Judge, 85
• 2025, Shohei Ohtani, 91
• 2018, Francisco Lindor, 85
• 2016, Josh Donaldson, 80

At 47-45 and led by a young nucleus that includes Wood and All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams, the Nationals were 2.5 games behind in the NL Wild Card race, but years ahead of the organization's rebuild. They paced the MLB in runs scored (497) and stolen bases (98) and ranked second in team slugging (.433).

Wood doesn't need to see the organization developing into a contender and possible trade deadline player.

He can feel it. 

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