Phillies Draft Gage Wood, Shift Pitching Strategy

Arkansas pitcher Gage Wood was selected 26th overall by the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft, becoming the Razorbacks' 11th first-round pick in program history. Wood's draft stock rose after he threw the third no-hitter in College World Series history, striking out a record 19 batters in the game. Despite missing two months with a shoulder injury and making only 10 starts, Wood posted a 3.82 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 37.2 innings, featuring a fastball that reaches 98 mph and a sharp curveball. The Phillies selected three college pitchers with their first three picks in 2025, a departure from their recent preference for high school players and a strategy last employed in 1994. Due to Wood's limited workload and injury history, he may be considered for bullpen use, though his command could allow for a quick ascent through the Phillies’ system. Arkansas continues its trend of producing early-round MLB pitchers.