MLB Reacts to James Wood's Big Announcement on Thursday

Moments later, MLB confirmed the news on social media:

"BREAKING: JAMES WOOD IS IN THE DERBY The @Nationals slugger announced on Instagram he’ll compete in the 2025 @TMobile #HRDerby!"

Wood is among National League leaders in home runs, trailing only sluggers like Shohei Ohtani, Eugenio Suarez, Kyle Schwarber and Seiya Suzuki. He also ranks fourth in RBIs, just one behind New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.

A second-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres, Wood was traded to Washington in August 2022 as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Juan Soto and Josh Bell to San Diego. That trade also brought C.J. Abrams and MacKenzie Gore to the Nationals.

Wood now looks to make his mark on All-Star weekend. The youngest player to ever win the Home Run Derby is Juan Gonzalez, who won in 1993 at age 23 and 265 days. Soto ranks second, having won it at 23 years and 266 days. Wood turns 23 on Sept. 17.

Teoscar Hernandez is the defending champion, having won last year’s derby at Globe Life Field in Arlington by edging out Bobby Witt Jr. It was Hernandez’s first time participating in the event.

Wood’s entry into the 2025 derby adds excitement to a Nationals season that has lacked much of it. His performance in Atlanta could be a sign of even bigger things ahead.

The MLB Home Run Derby will be held at 8 p.m. July 14 at Atlanta's Truist Park. It will be televised by ESPN. The MLB All-Star Game is at 8 p.m. July 15 and will be on Fox.