James Wood made an impressive debut in tonight’s Home Run Derby, showcasing his power with a total of 16 home runs at Atlanta’s Truist Park. Unfortunately for Wood, who was the first batter of the night, his score wasn’t enough to advance past the first round.
Starting strong, he launched a spectacular 486-foot blast, which surpassed the longest hit from last summer’s derby and was one of two impressive home runs he hit during his round. Initially struggling to find his rhythm, he began to click with Nationals’ third base coach, Ricky Gutierrez, moving from six home runs to a total of 14 by the end of his three-minute round, plus an additional two in a bonus round. His set number of 16 was soon left behind as the subsequent batters quickly surpassed him.
Brent Rooker, Junior Caminero, Oneil Cruz, and Byron Buxton each stole the spotlight with stellar performances, showcasing the competitive nature of the event. Rooker finished with 17 homers, Caminero and Cruz each hit 21, while Buxton hit 20, leading to Wood’s early exit from the competition.
Despite his elimination, Wood’s performance was certainly memorable, putting him in good company. Although he aimed to join Bryce Harper and Juan Soto as the Nationals’ Home Run Derby winners, this first experience in the spotlight shows his potential for future competitions. Additionally, it is worth noting that he avoided finishing last, as Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Matt Olson struggled to amass only three and 15 home runs, respectively.
This event highlights the excitement surrounding young talent in the league, with Wood demonstrating his capability and fierceness in competition. His journey is just beginning, and fans can look forward to what he will bring to the field in the future.