The Los Angeles Dodgers came into this one with Shohei Ohtani on fire, Mookie Betts locked in, and World Series dreams already simmering in April. However, none of that mattered when a 6-foot-6 Nationals‘ rookie decided to steal the show. After all the offseason headlines related to megastars, the loudest swing on Monday night came from the quietest name on the field.
James Wood. “Aaron Judge at the age of 22 did not have the swing that James Wood has at the age of 22,” remarked Eduardo Pérez on MLB Network Radio.
That wasn’t just a simple praise—it was a challenge. The former Reds slugger did not stop there. “I love the fact that James Wood, who has a very good eye for such a young, tall kid at the plate, the swing has to be as short and compact as possible for a big guy. For him to have it already at this age,” Pérez said, before throwing down the gauntlet to the front office, adding, “Extend the kid, because it is a growing trend this month. It is an extension of April”.
Wood has begun to flash elite discipline and power in just seven MLB games. His .262/.353/.520 slash line contains 9 HR, 41 RBIs, and an OPS of .781. In addition, his 395-foot bomb off a slider in the seventh inning gave the Nationals a crucial lead and silenced the Dodgers. “It takes taller players more time to develop”, Pérez said. However, Wood is already highlighting polish—basically reserved for veterans.
The data backs it up. The star’s average exit velocity sits at 92.8 mph, with a hard-hit rate above 52.3 percent. For perspective, Aaron Judge—who he keeps getting compared to—struggled in his 2016 debut, hitting just .270 with a 25.5 percent strikeout rate in 93 games. In contrast, Wood has highlighted patience, establishing quality at-bats, and handling velocity with poise. “You have to project”, the analyst said. “I know it is distinctive from what the Nationals have done, but man, what a talent”.
Pérez was not just impressed—he was warning the Nationals. “It happened already with Juan Soto when he left, think about it,” he said. The team’s front office has a scope to rewrite that narrative, and blocking Wood could be the beginning.
Nationals turned Dodgers’ mayday to meltdown
While Wood electrified the crowd with his 2-run homer, it was the Dodgers’ unraveling that quietly told the bigger story. Dustin May, returning from Tommy John surgery, struggled, lasting just 2.2 innings, enabling 4 earned runs on 4 hits with 3 walks. Additionally, his fastball hovered in the mid-90s, below the star’s usual range. His slider also lacked bite. It did not take long for the Nationals to pounce.
Ohtani delivered a 3-hit game, including a majestic RBI double. However, the team stranded 11 runners. Despite scoring four times, the Dodgers struggled with runners in scoring position, going 2-for-9 and grounding into two double plays. CJ Abrams and Lane Thomas combined for five hits and set the table all night long. Mackenzie Gore also struck out 9 over 6 innings, which silenced the Dodgers’ heavyweights with ease.
The Nationals did not just survive—they executed their strategy flawlessly. They exploited weak bullpen talents, such as Ryan Yarbrough, and attacked early in counts. This was not a fluke win. It was a clinic in timing, effectiveness, and aggression—qualities the opposing team lacked that night.
The buzz could be around a 22-year-old phenom in D.C, however, the Dodgers left more questions than answers about their performance. If Monday’s situation is a taste of what is ahead, then star power might not be enough to plug the leaks for the Dodgers.
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