James Wood has played in nine Spring Training games through Monday and is hitting .475 with a 1.550 OPS, which includes three home runs – and he also has a Grant & Danny appearance under his belt, where he tried to plain what's up with his strong spring so far.
"I just think sort of knowing myself, knowing what I wanna do with the plate, knowing how I move and just being able to make quick adjustments at the plate, really," Wood said. "I've gotten to know a lot of these guys pretty well and just being around them, being able to ask questions, pick a lot of guys brains, see how certain guys do one thing and how it may be different from how I do it, we're all just having fun out here and just getting better and just challenging ourselves."
Delino Deshields, who managed Wood at Double-A Harrisburg, has been a big part of that in camp…but that might be the last Delino sees of him, as there is talk of Wood possibly braking camp with the big club – although he's not even thinking about it.
"There's still a whole lot left in camp, and that decision isn't in my control, so I'm still trying to take it day by day, and sort of just be consistent and just do what I can," Wood said. "Baseball is tough, so it'll bring all those emotions out of you, but I think it's just part of the game, being able to manage those and just kind of stay level with all the ups and downs it gives you."
Wood is a tremendous athlete with a sports pedigree, but he chose baseball, and that looks like a good choice, and the improvement can only continue.
"I just wanna be consistent, be the same guy from Game 1 to the last game," Wood said. "Like I said, baseball has a lot of ups and downs, so I just wanna try and stay consistent through all that and sort of ride the wave, I think that will kind of keep me where I wanna be."
He's already tasted success in two organizations, clinching a first-half title in A-ball in the Padres organization before being traded to DC, where he won a second-half title in Fredericksburg – and perhaps more to come at higher levels?
Take a listen to G&D's entire 'get to know you' convo with Wood above!
