Nationals fan can circle Monday, July 1 as one of the crucial anticipated days in current franchise historical past. They’re planning to advertise prime outfield prospect James Wooden for his MLB debut once they return dwelling for a sequence towards the Mets that day, studies Grant Paulsen of 106.7 FM The Fan. Speak Nats just lately prompt that may very well be a possible goal date for the ballyhooed prospect’s debut, and it appears that evidently is certainly the Nats’ plan. Washington might want to formally choose Wooden’s contract to get him onto the 40-man roster. The 21-year-old Wooden, at the moment the sport’s No. 3 general prospect at Baseball America, was one of many centerpieces within the blockbuster commerce sending Juan Soto from Washington to San Diego two years in the past.
Wooden, now 21, was chosen by the Padres within the second spherical of the 2021 draft. Baseball America ranked him the #5 prospect in San Diego’s system going into 2022. He elevated his prospect inventory virtually instantly, with a robust displaying in 50 Single-A video games that 12 months. He hit ten dwelling runs, stole 15 bases and drew a stroll in 15.7% of his plate appearances, putting out simply 17.8% of the time. His .337/.453/.601 batting line translated to a 168 wRC+.
As talked about, Wooden modified groups within the 2022 deal that despatched Soto to the Padres, with the Nationals additionally getting CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, Robert Hassell III, Jarlin Susana and Luke Voit. Wooden continued on the Single-A degree after that deal, slashing .293/.366/.463 for his new group.
Going into 2023, Wooden was typically thought-about to be one of many prime 20 prospects across the league and he simply stored hitting. He bought into 129 video games final 12 months between Excessive-A and Double-A, launching 26 homers and swiping 18 luggage. His 31.5% strikeout price was a bit excessive however he was nonetheless getting walked at a string 11.8% clip.
This 12 months, Wooden’s development has continued with extra superb numbers, although with a slight damage hiccup. In late Might, he suffered a hamstring damage and missed closed to a month, however he returned to the sector and has regarded no worse for put on. By way of 51 Triple-A video games this season, he at the moment sports activities a monster line of .346/.458/.578. That features ten dwelling runs, ten steals and a 17.3% stroll price. He’s additionally trimmed his strikeout price to a tidy 18.2% degree.
Wooden is clearly prepared for the following step and can strive tackling main league pitching. Not all prospects discover fast success when introduced as much as the massive leagues, so it shouldn’t be an enormous shock if he can’t maintain placing up online game numbers like he has within the minors, however he has little left to show and it’s time for the present.
For the Nationals, it’s a really fascinating transition time for this promotion. They spent many of the earlier decade in competition, with rosters that includes star gamers like Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, Trea Turner, Max Scherzer, Soto and others, successful a title in 2019. However the backside shortly fell out after they gained that World Collection, which led to trades of Scherzer, Turner and Soto.
Although dealing a generational expertise like Soto might have been robust for the Washington entrance workplace and its followers, it has performed an enormous position in what appears to be a comparatively fast return to respectable baseball. Abrams’ protection remains to be a piece in progress however he’s placing up enormous offensive numbers from the shortstop place and stealing bases as nicely, whereas Gore is having himself a really good season on the mound.
The Nats got here into this season clearly nonetheless in rebuild mode however they haven’t fallen fully out of the playoff image within the weak Nationwide League race. Their 38-42 document is clearly subpar however they’re solely three video games again of a Wild Card spot in the mean time.
If Wooden is in a position to reach the majors instantly, that might clearly be a lift for his or her possibilities of hanging round that playoff race. Wooden has expertise in any respect three outfield spots however has been in left area since getting back from his damage, maybe suggesting that’s the place the Nats plan to fit him in. Jesse Winker has been enjoying that spot and is having a pleasant season, however he’s not thought-about a robust defender and could also be moved into a chosen hitter position. Eddie Rosario has been serving because the DH for many of this month however is hitting simply .181/.226/.330 for the 12 months. If he’s going to be the one relinquishing essentially the most enjoying time to Wooden, will probably be a low bar to clear for Wooden in offering the Nats with a right away improve.
Whether or not the Nats is usually a shock contender this 12 months or not, Wooden remains to be lined as much as be an enormous a part of a brand new core that has been regularly forming in Washington. As talked about, Abrams and Gore are having good seasons. Jacob Younger hasn’t hit a lot but however has a robust ground in heart area because of his pace and protection. Younger and controllable pitchers like Jake Irvin, Mitchell Parker and DJ Herz have proven encouraging indicators to varied levels. Cade Cavalli shall be again in that blend after he finishes rehabbing from Tommy John surgical procedure. And Wooden gained’t be the final thrilling prospect promotion, with Dylan Crews, Brady Home and others on the best way.
The commerce deadline is on July 30, simply over a month away, so the membership can take that point to resolve in the event that they need to strive for one thing this 12 months or simply concentrate on placing the items collectively for the long run. Both method, there’s loads to love within the long-term view. Along with the expertise, the onerous Patrick Corbin contract is about to run out on the finish of this season. That may go away the long run payroll comparatively clear, Keibert Ruiz and Strasburg the one notable offers on the books. The Ruiz deal has a reasonably low common annual worth whereas Strasburg’s deal was renegotiated to defer some cash as a part of his retirement. Briefly, the membership has loads of capacity to construct round their budding core going ahead.
For Wooden, he gained’t be capable to earn a full 12 months of service time this 12 months. Prime prospects known as up midseason can earn a full service 12 months by ending within the prime two of Rookie of the 12 months voting, however that shall be basically not possible for him at this level. Even when he crushes the ball for the following three months, he gained’t be capable to catch guys like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Paul Skenes, Joey Ortiz and the opposite rookies which have already had loads of time to tug forward.
He additionally gained’t have sufficient time to get to Tremendous Two standing after 2026, primarily based on the place earlier cutoffs have been. The earliest he may qualify for arbitration is after 2027 and his earliest free company can be after 2030. Future optionally available assignments may push these timelines again however that gained’t be a priority if he retains mashing the best way he has been on the farm.
