Nationals Slugger Makes 2026 All-Star Team in 'Way-Too-Early' Prediction

James Wood projected to return to Midsummer Classic despite second-half slump in 2025.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Despite a second-half slump in 2025, Washington Nationals slugger James Wood has been projected to make the 2026 National League All-Star team in ESPN's "Way-Too-Early" predictions. While the selection is largely due to the Nationals needing a representative, Wood's impressive first-half performance last season has him on track to be a perennial All-Star candidate.

Why it matters

Making the All-Star team in consecutive years would be a major milestone for the 23-year-old Wood, establishing him as a rising superstar and franchise cornerstone for the rebuilding Nationals. However, the team would prefer Wood to earn his spot through strong first-half numbers rather than being selected simply because the Nationals need a player in the Midsummer Classic.

The details

After being named to the 2025 All-Star roster, Wood blasted 24 home runs and drove in 69 RBIs in the first half of the season. But he struggled after the break, hitting just 7 home runs with 25 RBIs. FanGraphs' ZiPS projection system has Wood finishing with almost identical numbers in 2026 compared to 2025, though the National League is loaded with high-end outfielders making the All-Star team a challenge.

  • In the first half of the 2025 season, Wood hit 24 home runs and had 69 RBIs.
  • After the 2025 All-Star break, Wood hit just 7 home runs and had 25 RBIs.

The players

James Wood

A 23-year-old rising star slugger for the Washington Nationals who made the 2025 All-Star team.

Paul Toboni

The newly hired president of baseball operations for the Washington Nationals, overseeing the team's rebuilding efforts.

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What they’re saying

“The problem with the NL is I ended up with nobody from the Rockies, Cardinals or Marlins in my first cut, and generously included Wood as the third outfielder only to give the Nationals a representative.”

— David Schoenfield, ESPN writer (ESPN)

What’s next

The Nationals will be closely monitoring Wood's performance in the first half of the 2026 season to see if he can recapture the form that earned him an All-Star selection in 2025.

The takeaway

While Wood's inclusion on the 2026 'Way-Too-Early' All-Star team is largely due to the Nationals needing a representative, the young slugger has the potential to be a perennial All-Star if he can build on his impressive first-half numbers from 2025. His development will be a key storyline as the Nationals continue their rebuilding efforts.