Washington Nationals' James Wood Joins Exclusive List Amid Historic Start to Season

James Wood did more than just come through in the clutch on Friday – he also made history.

The Washington Nationals trailed the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 when Wood stepped up to the plate with two outs in the top of the eighth inning. After taking ball one, Wood cranked a 421-foot solo home run to center, tying the score.

Nasim Nuñez hit a go-ahead RBI single in the ninth, while Kyle Finnegan notched the save in the bottom of the frame. Washington stole a 4-3 series-opening victory, thanks in large part to Wood's 2-for-4 showing at the plate with two RBIs.

Through 46 games this season, the 22-year-old Wood is batting .273 with a .906 OPS, totaling 12 home runs, 11 doubles, 25 runs, 27 RBIs, five stolen bases and a 1.7 WAR.

According to Underdog Fantasy's Justin Havens, Wood is the 11th player under the age of 23 ever to record at least 12 home runs and five stolen bases in the first 46 games of a season. The rest of the club is made up of Mel Ott, Orlando Cepeda, Ellis Burks, Alex Rodriguez, Carlos Correa, Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuña Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto and Gunnar Henderson.

Tatis actually achieved the feat twice, doing so in 2020 and 2021.