In the middle of a tough season, the Washington Nationals opened their series against the Padres with a 10–6 gut punch. But what REALLY stings for San Diego is that the player who led Washington’s charge was once theirs. On his first return to Petco Park, the 6-foot-6 rookie they traded away came back swinging, literally, fueling a much-needed Nationals victory and making sure the Padres felt every bit of what they lost.

The 22-year-old  James Wood is smashing homers and setting records for the team. Ever since the Nats acquired him from the Padres in the 2022 trade that sent Juan Soto to San Diego, Wood has made sure to deliver whenever the team needed him. Even amid team losses, he’s been a player whose performance isn’t tied to the team’s results. But despite his towering form and raw power, he struggled to unlock his full potential.

“Whatever it is, whether it’s your approach, your plan, how you go about your defense, your hitting, baserunning—I think you have to fully believe in what you do,” Wood shared on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast. “If you have any doubt up here, not only will the guys on the other team eat you up, but you’ll eat yourself up. And I think that’s something that obviously comes with time,” he added. Wood believes the only way through it is to work hard.

“I think there are ups and downs with everybody. And I think especially early on, throughout the downs, I was sort of doubting myself a little bit. But I just think it’s something you have to learn through the struggle. I was lucky enough to struggle—I struggled in high school, I struggled in pro ball, and I mean, it’s the same here. It’s just you’re struggling at the highest level, so you’re not really sure at first,” he mentioned.

Well, seems like those struggles have paid off this season.

With his three-run homer against the Padres, he now has 22 home runs this season. He’s slashing .284/.379/.569/.948 with 61 RBIs.

The left fielder’s stunning performance this season is even drawing comparisons to Aaron Judge. “Aaron Judge at the age of 22 did not have the swing that James Wood has at the age of 22,” said Red Sox legend Eduardo Pérez on MLB Network Radio. “I love the fact that James Wood, who has a very good eye for such a young, tall kid at the plate, has a swing that’s already as short and compact as possible for a big guy… For him to have it already at this age…,” he added.

Now, the young phenom is even in talks to represent the team in the Midsummer Classic next month in Atlanta. If anyone’s counting blessings, it’s the Nats, because despite giving up Juan Soto in 2022, the return they got from the Padres is now anchoring their team. And it’s not just Wood. The other pieces in that trade are also shining bright in Washington.

Former Padres prospects are shining bright in the Nationals

Monday night’s series opener was special on many counts. For two former top prospects in San Diego’s organization, it was even meaningful; they got a chance for a sweet revenge in a Nationals jersey.

James Wood and shortstop CJ Abrams made their presence felt. When Wood homered among his three hits and scored three times, Abrams also crossed the plate three times, twice on hits by Wood. Their debut with Washington is now turning into a defining chapter in the team’s future.

The Nationals traded Juan Soto to the Padres in 2022 and received Wood, CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, and two more prospects in return.

Nats manager Dave Martinez reflected on that trade after Monday’s win. “They got a pretty good player in the trade—we got really good players in the trade. So it worked out for us.” Martinez told MLB.com’s Jessica Camerato, “We lost a very special player in Juan, as we all know, but we gained three really special players—three guys that this organization is building around: MacKenzie, Abrams, and Wood.”

Martinez holds the trio in high regard. “These three guys are the cornerstones of our organization. They’ve done well, and they’re helping us right now at an early, young age.”

While Wood is dominating at the plate, Abrams is putting up great numbers, too. He’s slashing .284/.356/.487/.843 with 11 home runs and 26 RBIs in 66 games this season. And MacKenzie? The starting pitcher is holding a 3.19 ERA with 123 strikeouts and a 1.19 WHIP over 19 starts.

Indeed, the trio has proven to be part of a trade that’s paying off big-time for the Nationals. And Monday’s game served as a sharp reminder to the Padres of what they gave up. Now one question remains: Can the Nationals do it again on Tuesday?