One of the newest additions to the Philadelphia Phillies organization could be on an unusually fast track to the big leagues.
With the 26th overall pick in MLB Draft, the Phillies selected University of Arkansas pitcher. A 6-foot, 205-pound right-hander, he spent two seasons as a reliever before making 10 starts this spring. Despite missing over a month with a shoulder impingement, he posted a 4-1 record and a 3.82 ERA, racking up 69 strikeouts in just 37.2 innings.
What truly vaulted him into the national spotlight came on June 16, during the Men’s College World Series. In a game against Murray State, he delivered the third no-hitter in MCWS history—and the first in 65 years—while striking out a record 19 batters in a 3-0 Arkansas win.
“You should be fired up, Phillies fans,” said MLB Network host Greg Amsinger after the pick. “This dude pitched arguably the greatest game in the history of the College World Series.”
In his breakdown of the first round, Keith Law of The Athletic speculated that the Phillies may have drafted Gage Wood with an eye toward immediate impact — potentially inserting him into the big-league bullpen later this year to help address their relief struggles. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel echoed that idea, noting Wood’s makeup could allow him to skip the minors entirely and contribute down the stretch “like a trade deadline addition.”
Since the MLB Draft’s inception in June 1965, only 24 players have made it to the majors in the same year they were drafted without playing a minor league game. With a blazing fastball deemed “unhittable” and a sharp power curve to pair with it, Wood could become No. 25.
“It’s a guy that can just dominate hitters through the lineup with two pitches,” said Phillies assistant GM of amateur scouting Brian Barber. “We see him as a starter. You see those dominating two pitches and people are going to automatically think, ‘Move to the bullpen.’ But this is a guy who’s shown the ability to do it.”
University of Arkansas Right-Hander Gage Wood Could Provide Relief Answer for Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s bullpen struggles have been a recurring issue this season. Heading into the All-Star break, Phillies relievers have combined for a 4.38 ERA — tied for 23rd in Major League Baseball.
The situation worsened with the 80-game suspension of Jose Alvarado, who is now ineligible for the postseason after violating MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Meanwhile, veteran closer Jordan Romano, signed in the offseason to bring experience to the back end of the bullpen, has endured a rocky season filled with notable setbacks.
Relying on a rookie fresh out of college to handle high-leverage innings against elite big-league hitters may seem like a stretch, and team president Dave Dombrowski is almost certain to pursue bullpen help through trades. Still, Gage Wood might end up being the unexpected solution Philadelphia needs.
“It’s hard not to envision a scenario where Gage is logging important outs in pressure situations as the Phillies push for a second straight NL East title, or even in October as they chase their elusive third World Series,” wrote John Stolnis of The Good Phight. “Dombrowski shouldn’t plan on it, but you can’t help but wonder if it wasn’t already inside their heads when they made the selection Sunday night.”