James Wood hit his first ML HR yesterday!
Way to go James!
As a Cubs fan, I hope he hits a few more today (sorry @CoachB25). Watching the game with my (Cards fan) father-in-law now...
Awesome for James!!
The kid's been raking all year! Fun to watch!
Yes, James is very "relaxed" and "calm" at the plate. His eyes are ID the pitch when it departs the pitcher's fingers. "FINE FOCUS"
Bob
Paula, I hope you are getting to attend
Such a cool time for your family. Congratulations!
At the end of the game today, James' OBP was .487. He has reached base in 7 games straight.
El Big Man
Latest article from the Washington Post. They are loving James in DC!
Did anyone else see the HR that James hit today?!? Monster shot off the facing of the second deck in RC. Had to be over 475’. My goodness!!!!
Adbono;
"outstanding" He is a "true Professional player. A future Dodger!
Bob
@Consultant posted:Adbono;
"outstanding" He is a "true Professional player. A future Dodger!
Bob
He’s in the right place. What could be better than playing for the hometown team?
The World Series?
Bob
He is looking quite good so far. 24% chase rate out of the zone is really good. Zone contact of 82% is a bit below average but not bad for a 21 year old 6'7 slugger, with a bit more experience i think he can be a mid 20s k rate guy who gets on base and hits a lot of homers.
For that he needs to get the ball a bit more off the ground but it is normal that such a long limbed guy needs some time to figure that out.
Considering how bad AAA pitching currently is (all the scouts say it is terrible and the jump from AAA to mlb is bigger than ever) and how young he is he has made a great debut, other much more experienced prospects who are like 23-25 with 700+ high minors plate appearances have struggled much more with the jump.
I saw that HR on TV. Amazing!
@Consultant posted:The World Series?
Bob
The Dodgers haven’t won a legitimate full season World Series since 1988. The Nationals won five years ago. .
@RJM posted:The Dodgers haven’t won a legitimate full season World Series since 1988. The Nationals won five years ago. .
I'm not a dodgers fan but I'm not sure you can call that WS not legitimate. Yes, it was a shortened season but playoffs actually where expanded.
A 60 game regular season of course has less meaning but does anyone really doubt the dodgers who won the division 11 out of the last 12 times including 7 times in a row before 2020 would have made the playoffs?
That wasn't some scrappy team that sneaked in during a shortened season and then ran hot in the post season, that was an overwhelming favorite who won 106 games the year before and ran a 116 win pace in 2020. Does anyone doubt they would have won 100 again?
I know, things could have happened in a longer season, maybe two starters would have gotten injured in a full season and then they might not win, but if a team is a legitimate champion in 2020 it probably is the dodgers who clearly lead all major leagues in win percentage over the last 10-15 years.
@Consultant posted:Adbono;
"outstanding" He is a "true Professional player. A future Dodger!
Bob
I'm pretty much betting if his career continues progressing based on his play since he was called up, that the Dodgers will be first in line for his next contract. I'm sure if his head is as level as his mom's (based on all her posts), he'll make the best decision for him. An impressive start to what I hope is a long professional career.
PS. I'll put in a selfish plug to consider the Red Sox when free-agency comes around ;-)
Dad 22
the future ownership philosophy of the Nats will determine a players future. watch for the selling price of the Angels and Nats.
Bob
Someone here said something to the effect that none of our kids will make any money in professional baseball. I bet James will be an exception to that.
@Dadbelly2023 posted:Someone here said something to the effect that none of our kids will make any money in professional baseball. I bet James will be an exception to that.
If you work 40 years (20-60) making $100K annually, you’ll gross $4M in a lifetime. I know that $100K isn’t what it used to be, but what is? If you manage to get drafted within the first 3 rounds you’ve pretty much earned 25% of that 40-year career at a minimum, I think that already qualifies as making money in professional baseball.
James is in rarified air now, very few rookies come into the league getting better each month they play at his age. I can’t imagine the pressure of the expectations, but from my typical fan perspective, he has the right mentality and all the tools to be a very special player for a long time.