James Wood, Nationals’ first home run in Major League

After dismantling the minor leagues, it was only a matter of time before Nationals phenom James Wood hit his first home run — and sure enough, the MLB’s No. 2 prospect put his name on the board Saturday in his sixth major league game.

Wood’s first home run was a three-run homer off Cardinals veteran Lance Lynn that extended Washington’s lead to 7-0 in the second inning. Wood had gone 5-for-19 with four walks heading into the first at-bat. The home run was also his first major league multi-base hit.

The Maryland native’s power display didn’t stop there. In his third at-bat of the day, the left-handed hitter’s patience paid off. He connected with Lynn’s seventh pitch in a long at-bat, a 94.6 mph fastball, and powered the ball into left field — with an exit velocity of 104.2 mph — exactly 50 feet from where he had hit his home run just an inning earlier. His first career double set up C.J. Abrams and Trey Lipscomb in the third inning.

He is the third player 21 or younger (at the time of the game) in Nats/Expos franchise history to hit a home run, a double and five RBIs in a game. He joins Victor Robles (September 26, 2018) and Ryan Zimmerman (August 18, 2006). Wood also joins Luis Matos of the Giants, who accomplished a similar feat (six RBIs) on May 18.

Before his call-up, Wood, 21, had hit .353 with 10 homers and 37 RBIs in 52 games for Triple-A Rochester this season. Wood has hit a combined 26 homers across two minor league levels in 2023.