ATLANTA -- Nationals outfielder James Wood can add “pummeled 486-foot homer in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby” to his blossoming Major League resume.
Wood, 22, made his Derby debut on Monday night at Truist Park. He hit 16 home runs in the first round, one shy of advancing to the second round.
Derby champion Cal Raleigh and Brent Rooker hit 17 in the opening round. Raleigh advanced on a distance tiebreaker and went on to win it all.
“Just the fact that I did, it was a cool experience,” Wood said. “It was something cool to be a part of.”
Wood was so locked into the rapid-pitch event that he didn’t get to soak in the monster homer that had the All-Star crowd buzzing.
“I wish I could have watched it,” Wood said with a smile. “I heard about it, but I didn’t even really see it.”
Wood wowed with the 486-foot, 111 mph blast for his second homer. His final homer of the competition was a 465-foot, 112 mph dinger in the bonus round. Wood averaged 435.3 feet and 106 mph.
Six of his home runs traveled more than 450 feet and four had an exit velocity of 110 mph or greater.
“I was tired,” Wood said. “But it was a good experience, and I’m glad I did it.”
The lefty-hitting Wood drew attention and praise from fellow All-Stars on Monday when they spoke about sluggers around baseball.
“He’s a tough opponent,” said Home Run Derby contestant Byron Buxton. “Watching him from afar, it’s pretty impressive. I watch his highlights quite a bit, and it’s just one of those things where he’s still learning the game and doing the things that he’s doing. He’s going to be a special player to come throughout the game, and it’s going to be fun to watch.”
Wood earned his first All-Star selection and Home Run Derby invite with 24 first-half home runs, the second most in the competition behind only Cal Raleigh (38). He clocked two of them a career-best 451 feet, according to Statcast, and his hardest-hit homer flew this season at 116.3 mph.
Wood was the third Nationals player to compete in the Home Run Derby. He joined Bryce Harper (2013, ’18) and Juan Soto (2021-22).
Given what Wood has done this early in his career, it would seem likely for him to return to this event again. If he does, he has learned from the experience.
“You’ve just got to find a rhythm, that’s really it,” Wood said. “I just couldn’t find a rhythm. That’s like the whole thing. I just couldn’t get hot.”
Wood’s pitcher was Nationals third-base coach Ricky Gutierrez, who throws batting practice to Wood during the season.
“I just like his arm motion,” Wood said last week. “It’s easy to pick up. If he was a pitcher, I’d probably hit pretty well off him. [laughs]”
Wood was the second-youngest competitor in this year’s Derby, at about 10 months older than runner-up Junior Caminero.
“The game is hard,” said Buxton, an 11-year veteran. “So for [Wood] to be able to do what he’s doing, it just shows how much hard work he puts into his craft.”