Mitchell Parker and James Wood are both taking big time leaps, but they have taken very different paths to get here
Two of the stars of the Washington Nationals 7-0 win over the Orioles were Mitchell Parker and James Wood. Parker went eight scoreless, one hit innings to continue his awesome start to the season. Honestly, I would have loved to see Parker try to go the distance and get that complete game shutout.
Mitchell Parker has tossed 8 innings of 1-hit ball tonight! pic.twitter.com/7C4kQYI72X
— MLB (@MLB) April 23, 2025
Meanwhile, James Wood had a 3/5 day with two doubles to get his OPS over .900. Wood and Parker have been the Nationals best players this season, and they are both 25 or younger. It is a sign that the Nationals future remains bright. However, Wood and Parker have taken very different paths to the top.
Mitchell Parker was never a top prospect. He was a fifth round pick in the five round 2020 MLB Draft out of JUCO. Heading into the 2024 season, Parker was ranked the 22nd best prospect in the Nationals system. His stuff did not jump off the table with a low to mid 90’s fastball and an array of solid but not spectacular secondary pitches. Parker’s control was also seen as a work in progress at the time.
However, he always got big strikeout numbers in the Minor Leagues due to his deception. With improved control, that has translated into big league success. The strikeout numbers aren’t as big, but he has mastered the art of keeping it off the barrel. This success culminated with his start last night against the O’s where he dominated.
Parker will come back down to earth a bit, I doubt he finishes the season with an ERA of 1.39. However, the big southpaw has turned himself into a reliable middle of the rotation arm, which is a big win for the Nats and for a guy in Parker who was not seen as a big time prospect.
On the flip side of the coin, 22 year old James Wood has been a big time prospect for a while. He was the biggest piece of the Juan Soto return, both figuratively and literally, with Wood standing at 6’7.
He was the number two ranked prospect in the Nats organization behind Dylan Crews entering 2024, and quickly passed him with his jaw dropping performances in AAA. Wood hit .353 with a 1.058 OPS at Rochester, before getting the call to the big leagues.
In 2024, Wood was good, with a .781 OPS, but everyone knew more was in the tank for the 6’7 slugger. He has validated those thoughts in 2025, with a .902 OPS. The power has been the big thing to take off so far. In 2024, Wood hit 9 homers in 295 AB’s. He already has 7 in 87 at bats in 2025.
The signature of James Wood’s game are his mammoth opposite field home runs. Five of his seven homers have been to left center or left field this season. While he did not homer last night, Wood had two doubles to the opposite field. It is rare to see a guy with that much opposite field thump.
Over the years, guys like Bryce Harper and Juan Soto wore out the left center bleachers, but I am not even sure they had the kind of opposite field power Wood does. Mitchell Parker probably ends up as a solid three or four starter, but Wood has the talent to be a true superstar.
There are all-star games and potential MVP’s in his future. On a side note, I would love to see James in the Home Run Derby because he would put on a show.
The two best Nats this year are two very different characters with two very different backgrounds. However, Mitchell Parker and James Wood will be teammates for a long time and should be a part of the next great Washington Nationals team.