Most baseball players can’t turn on a pitch and drive it oppo for a home run. That kind of opposite-field power? It’s rare stuff.
Aaron Judge does it consistently. The Yankees’ 6-foot-7 superstar makes it look routine. But there’s a new name entering that conversation: another 6-foot-7 slugger who’s making the Nationals look smart for their patience.
James Wood is just 22 years old, and he’s already showing the kind of power that puts him in Judge territory.
It’s not crazy to mention them in the same breath. Wood’s actually ahead of where Judge was at this stage of development.
we were born in the right generation we love watching james wood dingers and yelling pic.twitter.com/AAHCmkhnMv
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 31, 2025
Judge might be having one of the best hitting seasons we’ve seen in years. But he’s 33 now.
Wood’s slashing .287/.385/.579 with 15 doubles, 16 homers, 43 RBI and nine stolen bases. His OPS has been top-10 in MLB pretty much all season long.
The difference? Wood won’t turn 23 until September.
Judge wasn’t even drafted until he was 21. He didn’t reach the majors until 24. The Yankees star went to Fresno State before going pro, while Wood was picked straight out of IMG Academy.
The Soto Trade Dividend
Wood’s story with the Nats will always connect back to the trade. He was one of the centerpiece returns when Juan Soto headed to San Diego.
That deal’s looking pretty good for Washington these days. MacKenzie Gore, C.J. Abrams and Robert Hassell are all contributing at the MLB level too.
Baseball development isn’t linear, though. Wood could hit a wall and never reach that next tier.
But when you’re doing what he’s doing at 22? That usually means bigger things are coming.
Sure, comparing two 6-foot-7 guys feels a bit lazy. But it’s also legitimate here.
When you watch Wood hit, you can see the makings of someone who could challenge Judge for the title of scariest hitter on the planet. That’s where the ceiling sits for a guy with his tools and his timeline.
