2021 Draft Report - James Wood

2/10/21

Wood showed off easy power in batting practice and his feel for controlling the barrel in games. On a breaking ball away, he seemingly flicked his wrists and drove a two-run home run to left. If he got a pitch in, he hammered it to his pull side. Wood, a Mississippi State recruit, is super relaxed in the box, patiently waiting for one pitch to annihilate. The swing is every loose and handsy, allowing him to use the whole field with ease.

Diamondskills All American Camp - 1/19/2019

Big athletic projectable frame at 6-foot-5, 201-pounds. Ran a 6.97 60. Stance is athletic and starts square. Small pick-up to stride landing slightly closed, hands load back and move down getting into an uphill swing path. Barrel stays through extension creating a long path through the hitting zone and lower half finishes completely. Swing shows big time power with easy effort getting the bat through. Exit velo was 89 mph. Feet are active and under control on approach and solid glove presentation to catch. Easy long strides covering lots of ground getting to flyballs in the outfield. Clean exchange away from the body moving into a long arm circle and throws from a three-quarter slot. Positional velocity was 81 mph.

MD Fall Invitational 11.3.18

Long, physical, athletic body type and very projectable 6-foot-5, 200 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, athletic, square stance at the plate. Rhythmic load, short stride and nice separation. Stays behind the ball well with strong lower half involvement. Short, slightly uphill swing path. Stays on the ball with good extension through contact. Easy swing with and exit velo up to 85 mph. Gap type hitter with major pull side power. Took one out over the right-center field fence and drive several other ball through the gaps during BP. Controlled approach to the ball in the outfield. Plays through it with short, quick footwork and clean exchanges. Throws with long, whippy arm action from a high three-quarters arm slot at 77 mph. Controlled side-step wind-up, leg kick, and balance point. Clean hand separation with some down to out lower half drive. Throws downhill from a thigh three-quarters slot with easy effort. Creates quick arm speed through release. Lands square to the plate with an upright finish. Showed command of three pitches. Fastball sat 82-83 mph and change-up was 72-73 with plus fade. Breaking ball showed big gradual 11/5 shape at 66-69 mph. Threw a few with sharper break as well.