Wood, Gore cement emerging stardom with 1st career All-Star selections

WASHINGTON -- Forever linked by the trade that brought them both to Washington in 2022, MacKenzie Gore and James Wood now have something else in common.

Both Gore and Wood were named first-time All-Stars on Sunday and will represent the Nationals in Atlanta at the 2025 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard (July 15 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX).

“It’s cool,” Wood said, minutes after learning of the news at a team meeting. “It’s definitely something you put your eyes on. It’s just cool to be honored. It’s cool to be able to represent and to get the invite.”

Wood earned both his first All-Star selection and first Home Run Derby invitation in his first complete season in the Major Leagues. Only 22, Wood plays far beyond his years and big league experience.

“After watching him last year -- he hit [nine] homers in a short time last year -- I really felt once he got his foot in the door, he’d do well,” former manager Dave Martinez said. “And he’s done really well. I never put expectations on guys. I just want them to go out there and play hard. He does that every day.”

Wood is slashing .288/.391/.549 with a .940 OPS and 23 home runs, including one the same day he was named to the Derby.

Wood recently became the sixth player in Major League history -- and the first since Barry Bonds in 2004 -- to be intentionally walked four times in a game. On Thursday, he set a career high with five hits in a win over the Detroit Tigers.

Wood’s All-Star Game selection came on the one-year anniversary of his first Major League homer.

“Nothing surprises me with what he does,” Gore said of Wood, who was ranked first among NL outfielders in OPS, home runs (tied with the Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong) and RBIs (67).

“We always knew what he was going to be,” Gore added. “But it’s steady -- just the demeanor. He’s so young, but he never gets too excited over anything and that’s why he shows up every day and plays well. I think that’s been the coolest thing to see -- that he’s so steady. That’s what good players do.”

Gore set the tone for his All-Star season early by recording a historic 13 strikeouts on Opening Day. He ranks third among NL pitchers with 131 strikeouts in 18 starts, including five outings with nine or more K’s.

As All-Star Game reserves, Gore and Wood were voted in by their peers.

“It’s one of those things you don’t really know what exactly to say about that,” said Gore, who also took part in the 2019 Futures Game. “It’s just cool to see the kind of respect guys give you. That’s all you can ask for as a player, so that’s pretty cool.”

Gore, 26, established himself as the Nationals’ No. 1 pitcher, leading with a four-seamer that averages 95.4 mph. The third overall pick in the 2017 Draft and the ‘17 Gatorade Male Athlete of the Year, Gore is scheduled to make his final start before the All-Star break on Wednesday vs. the Cardinals.

“I’m really proud of him,” Martinez said, “because the growth of him just understanding what he needs to do, being where his feet are, understanding big moments, how to control his heart beat. He did that. He knew he had to get better at that, and he did it. I’m really proud of him to step up and do that.”

Wood and Gore were among a haul of five prospects the Nationals acquired nearly four years ago in the deal that sent Juan Soto to San Diego.

The Nationals’ lone All-Star last season, shortstop C.J. Abrams, was also acquired in the same trade.

“For us in the organization, I can’t say enough about what we did in that trade, getting these guys,” Martinez said. “They come here with a heavy bag, per se. And they’re fitting the bill. They’re doing exactly what we thought they could do… They’re the backbone of our organization and what we’re trying to build here.”

Gore also appreciates the potential that he and his fellow trade-mates are starting to realize.

“I think when you really sit down and think about it, it’s pretty special. And then the season that C.J. has put together this year, if all three of us go [to the All-Star Game], that’d be awesome. James is just a special player and you see it every day with him.”

The Nationals remain hopeful that Abrams will ultimately find his back to the All-Star Game this year as a late addition. The 24-year-old entered Sunday leading all NL shortstops in OPS+ and is hitting .337 with six doubles, homers and 11 RBIs in his last 25 games.

“It’s really cool to see such good players end up turning out to be really good players- that doesn’t always happen,” Gore said. “All the credit goes to them, the work they’ve put in and the people they are. I pitch every five days, but it’s cool to watch them play every day.”