Fantasy Baseball Player Notes

James Wood was on a legitimate MVP pace through the first half of the 2025 campaign before a sharp second-half regression cooled the hype. He hit .278 with 24 home runs, 12 steals, 59 runs scored, and 69 RBIs early on, but his production dipped significantly down the stretch. Over the remainder of the season, Wood slashed just .223 with seven homers, 28 runs, 25 RBIs, and three stolen bases while being caught three times.

Despite finishing with strong overall totals, the 22-year-old was a liability for fantasy managers late in the year and carried a hefty 32.1% strikeout rate. Still, durability and elite batted-ball metrics stand out: Wood appeared in 157 games, posted a 16.3% barrel rate, a massive 56.3% hard-hit rate, and an .825 OPS. The talent is undeniable, and the ceiling remains enormous—he's best viewed as an OF2 in drafts, with hopes that 2026 delivers the full breakout.