Washington Nationals Emerging Superstar Brings Optimistic About Future

The Washington Nationals should be excited about their future with a new superstar emerging for the franchise.

Apr 26, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood (29) singles against the New York Mets during the first inning at Nationals Park. | Brad Mills-Imagn Images

The Washington Nationals are trying to keep pace in a challenging National League East, while showing improvements from last season.

It has been a mediocre start for the Nationals to begin the year based on expectations. Washington was never going to be a World Series contender this campaign, but this is a franchise that wants to see that they are heading in the right direction.

So far, there have been some positives and negatives early on, but with the team hanging close to .500, that is encouraging.

In the starting rotation, the team has seen the emergence of MacKenzie Gore and Mitchell Parker as two potential front-line starters. This is a significant boost for the team, with starting pitching being key.

Furthermore, the bullpen is still a work in progress, but that was to be somewhat expected coming into the season.

However, where the team has been really built is in the lineup, and that is where they want to see some of their young talent get better. Fortunately, one player has really stood out.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic (subscription required) recently wrote about the main reason to be optimistic about the Nationals being the performance of emerging star James Wood.

“James Wood is developing into a superstar-caliber player. He has smashed eight home runs with 18 RBIs in his first 25 games while slugging .559," he wrote.

The emergence of Wood has been excellent to see for Washington, which is in need of their young core getting better and improving.

Last year, the slugger was called up and played about half of the season, showing his ability to be great. In 2024, he slashed .264/.354/.427 with nine home runs, 41 RBI, and 14 stolen bases. For a 21-year-old at the time, those were some impressive numbers.

The Nationals are no stranger to developing young superstar outfielders. Both Bryce Harper and Juan Soto came up and produced well at very young ages, and Wood is seemingly following in those footsteps.

However, what might be most exciting about the 22-year-old is his size and ability to hit for power. So far this campaign, he has slashed .257/.359/.545 with eight home runs and 19 RBI.

With a 6-foot-7 frame, he is likely only going to get stronger as he fills out and gets older, which could result in one of the best young power hitters in the game.

The development of Wood is certainly exciting for the Nationals, and they will hope that others follow in his footsteps. After a great start to the season, it certainly looks like he is on his way toward becoming a superstar.