Nationals' Young Hitters: Crews & Wood's Breakout Potential

0:00You're listening to Washington Nationals News today. Subscribe now for fast daily updates on your team. The Washington Nationals are gearing up for the 2026 season with high hopes pinned on their young hitters, especially CJ Abrams, James, Wood and Dylan Cruz. Last year, the team's offense struggled, finishing 21st in batting average at 0.242 and near the bottom and slugging on base. Judge and home runs across the league, experts are eyeing the next big breakout stars, and the national standout as the only team with two players on that list. Dylan Cruz and James Wood, Cruz, who's turning 24 this year, show promise in college but has been inconsistent so far. In 85 games last season, he hit 0.208 with 10 home runs. Spring training has been slow too, with just two hits and 16 at bats over seven games. Meanwhile, James Wood had a tail of two halves in 2025. He earned his first all-star nod and home run derby invite after slashing 0.288 with 23

1:04homers through the first half. But strikeouts piled up later, with 221 total for the year, and he's batting just 0.091 in spring training now. With a new hitting coach in place, the focus is on patience at the play for both guys. Their development could define the national season ahead. This DNN story comes to you thanks to our sponsor, relax deeper, reset faster, comfort you can hear, S-O-L-L-I, solely pillow.com.