MLB Fantasy Insights: Can James Wood Rival Juan Soto? Time to Bench Marcus Semien?

Will James Wood Emerge as a Fantasy Superstar?

Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood entered the 2025 season with sky-high expectations after showing flashes of brilliance in 2024. The 6-foot-7 slugger has already demonstrated his power potential with 4 home runs in his first 50 plate appearances this season. What makes Wood particularly intriguing is his rare combination of power and speed, with projections pointing toward a potential 30-HR, 25-SB campaign.

The Juan Soto Comparison

While Juan Soto remains the gold standard for outfielders in fantasy baseball, Wood presents an interesting roto-league alternative due to his stolen base upside:

• Soto's Strengths: Elite plate discipline (.421 career OBP), consistent power (30+ HR annually)
• Wood's Advantages: Better speed tool (14 SB in 336 PA last season), emerging power

Key stats to watch:

• Contact Rate: Wood must improve his 34% strikeout rate
• Fly Ball%: Current 73.1% ground ball rate limits HR potential
• Platoon Splits: Slashing 1.000 SLG vs LHP early (only .339 in 2024)

Jacob Wilson: The Next Luis Arraez?

Oakland Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson is making waves with his 95.8% contact rate through his first 13 games. The 23-year-old is hitting .396 while striking out just twice in 48 PA. While his power potential remains questionable, Wilson's elite bat-to-ball skills could make him a points-league darling, much like Padres' Luis Arraez.

Marcus Semien: Decline or Slump?

Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien is off to an alarming .122 start through 13 games. At age 34, concerning trends have emerged:

• Declining Barrel%: Dropped from 9.2% (2021) to 6.7% (2024)
• GB Rate Spike: 56.3% early (career 42.4%)
• BABIP Woes: Rangers team BABIP of .230 (MLB worst)

While it's too early to panic, Semien's combination of age, defensive workload, and offensive decline makes him a risky fantasy asset in 2025.

Fantasy Recommendations

1. Buy: James Wood (25% available in ESPN leagues)
2. Add: Jacob Wilson (points league target)
3. Monitor: Marcus Semien (bench if alternatives exist)
4. Watch: CJ Abrams (flashes of breakout potential)
5. Stash: Mackenzie Gore (post-hype sleeper)