What changed for James Wood.
From 2025 to 2026, James Wood's Launch Angle moved from 6.5° to 9.8°. Here's everything else the data sees that changed.
Something has changed for James Wood, now 24, between 2025 and 2026. We went through what the data can actually measure, including contact, plate approach, swing shape, and the results they produce, to separate the signal from the noise. The clearest gain: Launch Angle moved from 6.5° to 9.8°, which now sits in the 19th percentile leaguewide. It hasn't been all one direction. Pull% has slipped from 39.9% to 35.7%, but the trade has largely worked so far.
The Results
On the bottom-line production (what it all adds up to), the arrows point the right way. Wood has improved on xSLG (0.784→0.961), OPS (0.822→0.956), and xwOBA (0.361→0.437), with nothing here moving meaningfully against him.
| Metric | 2025 | 2026 | Change | League now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| xwOBA | 0.361 | 0.437 | ▲ +0.076 | 99th |
| wOBA | 0.376 | 0.439 | ▲ +0.063 | 99th |
| xSLG | 0.784 | 0.961 | ▲ +0.177 | 100th |
| OPS | 0.822 | 0.956 | ▲ +0.134 | 99th |
The biggest move is xSLG, up from 0.784 to 0.961 (+0.177). It's been a clean step forward here.
Contact Quality
On the quality of contact (how hard and how flush he's hitting the ball), the arrows point the right way. Wood has improved on Exit Velo (94.3 mph→95.1 mph), Sweet-Spot% (38.6%→43.8%), and Hard-Hit% (56.4%→59.6%), with nothing here moving meaningfully against him.
| Metric | 2025 | 2026 | Change | League now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exit Velo | 94.3 mph | 95.1 mph | ▲ +0.8 | 99th |
| Barrel% | 8.8% | 11.9% | ▲ +3.0 pts | 98th |
| Hard-Hit% | 56.4% | 59.6% | ▲ +3.2 pts | 99th |
| Sweet-Spot% | 38.6% | 43.8% | ▲ +5.1 pts | 96th |
The biggest move is Exit Velo, up from 94.3 mph to 95.1 mph (+0.8). It's been a clean step forward here.
Plate Approach
On his approach at the plate (what he swings at and how often he misses), the arrows point the right way. Wood has improved on BB% (12.3%→16.6%), K% (32.0%→28.9%), and Chase% (24.3%→21.3%), with nothing here moving meaningfully against him.
| Metric | 2025 | 2026 | Change | League now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase% | 24.3% | 21.3% | ▲ -3.0 pts | 92th |
| Whiff% | 31.1% | 29.7% | ▲ -1.4 pts | 11th |
| K% | 32.0% | 28.9% | ▲ -3.1 pts | 13th |
| BB% | 12.3% | 16.6% | ▲ +4.3 pts | 97th |
The biggest move is BB%, up from 12.3% to 16.6% (+4.3 pts). It's been a clean step forward here.
Swing & Batted-Ball Shape
On his swing and batted-ball shape (the mechanical fingerprint behind the changes above), it's a genuine mix. Wood has gained ground on Launch Angle (6.5°→9.8°), Bat Speed (73.6 mph→74.0 mph), and Swing Length (7.6 ft→7.4 ft), while slipping on Pull% (39.9%→35.7%). The net picture is a real shift in profile, not a simple up-or-down.
| Metric | 2025 | 2026 | Change | League now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Angle | 6.5° | 9.8° | ▲ +3.3 | 19th |
| Pull% | 39.9% | 35.7% | ▼ -4.3 pts | 8th |
| Oppo% | 31.6% | 35.3% | ▲ +3.7 pts | 92th |
| Ground-Ball% | 50.7% | 42.0% | ▲ -8.7 pts | 49th |
| Bat Speed (2024+) | 73.6 mph | 74.0 mph | ▲ +0.4 | 90th |
| Swing Length (2024+) | 7.6 ft | 7.4 ft | ▲ -0.3 | 40th |
The biggest move is Launch Angle, up from 6.5° to 9.8° (+3.3).
The takeaway
Bottom line: between 2025 and 2026, the broad picture is a step forward, and the results are following the process. More of Wood's underlying markers are pointing up than down. It's worth re-checking as the sample grows, but the direction is already readable in the numbers.
How to read this
- This compares what the data can measure (contact, approach, swing and batted-ball shape). Stance, hand position, and leg-kick changes are not in the public data and are not claimed here.