James Wood's Power Surge and Slump | Washington Nationals News

**Corey** (0:00)
On July 24th, James Wood, the Nationals outfielder, is having a stellar year, leading the majors in runs scored by a wide margin.
He's on pace to potentially hit 150 runs, a feat not seen in decades.
His performance this season shows significant improvements across the board, with him hitting the ball harder and striking out less than before. However, after the All-Star break, Wood's bat has cooled off a bit. He's batting just 0.148 in his first six games back, and his strikeout rate has climbed again. This mirrors a similar slump he experienced last year after his first All-Star selection, where his production dropped significantly in the second half. Last season, Wood battled injuries and a tough stretch of games, which clearly took a toll. Teammates understand how demoralizing that can be. But this year, he's been remarkably consistent, playing in every single game for the Nationals, a testament to his dedication to staying healthy and strong. Despite the recent dip, his underlying numbers are still elite. He's still hitting the ball with serious velocity when he makes contact, and his manager believes he'll bounce back.
Wood even spent time in the offseason working on his swing, and the results are evident in his improved power and ability to get on base. The team is managing his workload, giving him some starts as a designated hitter to keep him fresh. They're confident that by learning from last year's struggles and focusing on his physical conditioning, Wood is set up for sustained success through the rest of the season. That's the story for today. Washington Nationals News Today, driven by AI. I'm Corey with the story.