Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 55 | Overall: 50

Wood spent his first two seasons at Arkansas pitching in high-leverage situations out of the bullpen, then joined the rotation on a consistent basis for the first time as a junior in 2025. He missed two months with a shoulder impingement early in the year, then came back for the Razorbacks’ run to the Men's College World Series, culminating with his historic 19-strikeout no-hitter against Murray State in Omaha. His stuff and ability to throw it for strikes helped him land in the end of the first round, signing for a below-slot $3 million.

Wood’s fastball might be good enough to get big league hitters out now. It sits in the 94-96 mph range and touches 98, but it’s a combination velocity, carry, low release height and flat approach angle that makes it play up. He gets elite chase rates, along with in-zone misses with the pitch. His 82-85 mph curve is his go-to secondary pitch, a power breaker that could be a plus pitch in time, especially if he can learn to land it in the zone more consistently.

Since joining the Phillies, Wood has gotten to work on improving his upper-80s slider to give him a shorter breaker he can throw for strikes and the split-fingered offspeed pitch he uses for a changeup could give him a fourth usable pitch. That, along with his ability to throw a ton of strikes, gives him a good chance to start, though his injury history and lack of showing durability could eventually land him in a bullpen.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 55 | Overall: 50

After Wood became Arkansas' closer as a freshman in 2023 and then continued to log high-leverage relief innings as a sophomore, scouts looked forward to him joining the rotation this spring. He came down with a shoulder impingement after his second start and missed two months before coming back for the stretch run. Though his command was sporadic at times following his return, he delivered a 19-strikeout no-hitter against Murray State at the College World Series, with only a hit batter keeping him from a perfect game. His combination of stuff and strikes helped him climb into the first round, landing with the Phillies and signing for a below-slot $3 million.

Wood had one of the best fastballs in the Draft class, sitting at 94-96 mph and reaching 98. Its combination of velocity and carry, along with his low release height and flat approach angle, produce elite rates of chases, as well as overall and in-zone swings and misses. He relies heavily on his heater and a power 82-85 mph curveball that shows flashes of becoming a plus pitch.

Wood's upper-80s slider isn't nearly as effective as his curve and he barely uses a changeup with similar velocity and decent fade. After battling the strike zone as a freshman, he carried a five percent walk rate the last two seasons. He has the ingredients to succeed as a starter, though he has also had shoulder issues in high school and will have to prove he can handle the workload.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 55 | Overall: 50

After Wood became Arkansas' closer as a freshman in 2023 and then continued to log high-leverage relief innings as a sophomore, scouts looked forward to him joining the rotation this spring. He came down with a shoulder impingement after his second start and missed two months before coming back for the stretch run. Though his command was sporadic at times following his return, he delivered a 19-strikeout no-hitter against Murray State at the College World Series, with only a hit batter keeping him from a perfect game. His combination of stuff and strikes could land him in the middle of the first round.

Wood has one of the best fastballs in the Draft, sitting at 94-96 mph and reaching 98. Its combination of velocity and carry, along with his low release height and flat approach angle, produce elite rates of chases, as well as overall and in-zone swings and misses. He relies heavily on his heater and a power 82-85 mph curveball that shows flashes of becoming a plus pitch.

Wood's upper-80s slider isn't nearly as effective as his curve and he barely uses a changeup with similar velocity and decent fade. After battling the strike zone as a freshman, he has carried a 5 percent walk rate the last two seasons. He has the ingredients to succeed as a starter, though he has also had shoulder issues in high school and will have to prove he can handle the workload.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	RHP Gage Wood assigned to Philadelphia Phillies Prospects.
	09/05/2025	RHP Gage Wood assigned to Clearwater Threshers from FCL Phillies.
	08/07/2025	RHP Gage Wood assigned to FCL Phillies.
	07/22/2025	Philadelphia Phillies signed RHP Gage Wood.
	06/03/2025	RHP Gage Wood assigned to College Workout.
	01/23/2025	RHP Gage Wood assigned to Arkansas Razorbacks.
	06/04/2024	Falmouth Commodores activated RHP Gage Wood.
	06/04/2024	Falmouth Commodores activated RHP Gage Wood.
	06/04/2024	Falmouth Commodores activated RHP Gage Wood.
	06/04/2024	RHP Gage Wood assigned to Falmouth Commodores.
	02/12/2024	RHP Gage Wood assigned to Arkansas Razorbacks.
	02/05/2023	RHP Gage Wood assigned to Arkansas Razorbacks.