Nationals call up top prospect James Wood for debut against New York Mets

Nationals rising star James Wood makes MLB debut

Washington Nationals top prospect James Wood is expected to make his major league debut Monday night against the New York Mets. FOX 5's Chad Ricardo has the latest details.

WASHINGTON - Washington Nationals top prospect James Wood is expected to make his major league debut Monday night against the New York Mets.

The Nationals selected the contract of the 21-year-old outfielder to call him up from Triple-A Rochester. Wood was acquired in the August 2022 trade that sent Juan Soto to San Diego.

He is the third-ranked prospect in the Major League Baseball pipeline. The 6-foot-7, 234-pound native of nearby Olney, Maryland, is hitting .353 with 10 home runs, 37 RBIs and an OPS of 1.058 in the minors.

Reports emerged last week about Wood coming to Washington when the Nats returned home from their road trip.

"I’m very excited when he does get here," manager Dave Martinez said Friday before a series opener at Tampa Bay. "He’s an outstanding kid. I’m looking forward to working with him."

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WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 21, 2024: James Wood #50 of the Washington Nationals runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 21, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

Martinez called Wood a student of the game who "wants to learn. He wants to get better. You got to remember he’s still 21 years old. He’s still learning a lot about himself, but he’s got unbelievable talent."

In a corresponding roster move, the team designated outfielder Eddie Rosario for assignment.