The Philadelphia Phillies selected right-hander Gage Wood No. 26 overall from the University of Arkansas in the 2025 MLB Draft. Not only was it a surprise to see Wood taken as a college arm by the Phillies, but it was also the first of eight consecutive pitchers taken by the organization, only one of whom was a high school pitcher. Wood led the way for the Phillies' draftees with a 9-3 record, 4.33 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 108 innings pitched in his three years as a Razorback.
Wood is a little bit older now at 21 years old, so he's had more experience than the prototypical high school arms the Phillies have grown fond of in the past. He could be a lot closer to major league action than fans might think. His debut could even be on the fast track just like Orion Kerkering's was back in 2023.
Will Gage Wood move as fast, or faster, than current reliever Orion Kerkering?
Wood had a tremendous Junior season at the University of Arkansas posting a 4-1 record, 3.82 ERA and a whopping 69 strikeouts through 37 2/3 innings. The way he's progressing, he could be morphing into more of a finished product rather than having to build up in the minor leagues. That readiness could find his way onto the field just months from now as a vital bullpen arm (subscription required), per Marcus Hayes of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Kerkering was the most recent example of a prospect showing promise early on. He was drafted in the fifth round in 2022 but took less than a year to be promoted all the way through the organization before making his MLB debut on Sept. 24, 2023. During that time, he carried a 1.66 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 65 innings. Kerkering made the playoff roster just weeks later and allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings.
Wood could find himself in a similar position. He throws a mid-to-upper 90s fastball with a power curveball and is a bulldog on the mound. Just weeks ago, on June 16, he threw a no-hitter in the College World Series while striking out 19 batters. The Phillies' bullpen could sure use an arm like that right now.
A NO-HITTER AND MCWS-RECORD 19 STRIKEOUTS FOR GAGE WOOD!
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 16, 2025
What a performance for the Arkansas pitcher 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QC4E7r1Nrl
“When you’re taking a college pitcher up high, they should be doing more than one thing,” Phillies assistant general manager for amateur scouting Brian Barber said (subscription required), per The Athletic's Charlotte Varnes. “They should be doing multiple things, so they should have more than one pitch. … Anytime you’re taking a college pitcher, they should have a few of the qualities that allow a guy to advance at a faster than normal rate.”
The plan remains fuzzy on what the Phillies will do and how they will proceed with Wood, given he was just drafted. If the Phillies want to utilize his skill set now, they do have that flexibility. Postseason pitching rosters change to a four-man rotation most times, so the rotation will already be backed up. Every Phillies fan is well versed on the issues this current bullpen faces every day, and one more reliever in the arsenal certainly wouldn't hurt.