Grading the Philadelphia Phillies' first 5 picks of the 2025 MLB Draft

As the 2025 MLB Draft dwindled down, the Philadelphia Phillies deviated from their recent selection strategy — taking high school players with high upside.

This year, the organization's brass opted to make a complete 180 and take college-level pitchers with their first eight picks. It seems that the front office and scouting department have plans to fix the bullpen and add pitching depth sooner rather than later.

As with any prospects, it remains to be seen what will transpire for any of these pitchers. One thing is for sure; they all have potential. The Phillies may not need any starters at the moment, but if any of these draftees can pitch in relief this season or next, these picks will be considered a huge success. Although the club will want to get some rotation help down the road from some of these hurlers.

Grading the Phillies' first 5 picks of the 2025 MLB Draft

Let's take a look at how the first five picks that the Phillies made over the two days grade out. Note, that these grades are based on potential and how they can impact the major league roster in the near future, not just performance.

Pick No. 1, 26th overall: Gage Wood (Arkansas)

With the 26th pick in the first round of the draft, the Phillies selected Gage Wood out of Arkansas. He is best known for his 19-strikeout no-hitter during the College World Series this year.

Scouts love Wood's fastball, which grades out at a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He also is equipped with an above-average curveball. Wood has also shown a propensity to accumulate strikeouts.

In 37 2/3 innings at Arkansas last season, the 21-year-old retired 69 batters via the punch-out.

It is apparent that Wood has stuff that can play in the major leagues in the near future. Phillies assistant general manager of amateur scouting Brian Barber discussed the organization's view of their newest first-rounder, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.

“I don’t think it’s ever really easy to predict how fast a person is going to have the ability to move. I do know he has the potential to move quickly, just because he does the two things: it’s already more ‘now’ stuff that you don’t have to project a ton on."

It remains to be seen when Wood will make his big-league debut, but he could be in the mix in the not-so-distant future.

Grade: A

No. 2, 63rd overall: Cade Obermueller (Iowa)

Obermueller is an interesting pick in that his best pitch is projected to be his slider which grades out at a 65 on the scouting scale. His fastball is no slouch, however. The son of former major leaguer, Wes Obermueller, has a fastball that hovers in the mid-90s but can touch 98 mph.

The 21-year-old lefty has a low arm slot which the Phillies liked due to the deception it can achieve to some hitters. As of now, he is projected to get a shot at starting in the minors but could be a potential bullpen option as well.

He is likely not as close to making his big-league debut as Wood, but he could be in play as a bullpen piece in the next year or two.

Grade: B+

No. 3, 100th overall: Cody Bowker (Vanderbilt)

Bowker, like Obermueller, pitches from a uniquely low arm slot. This allows him to generate some pretty crazy spin on his fastball that sits between 90-95 mph. Due to the high spin rate on the pitch, velocity is not necessarily the name of Bowker's game.

The right-hander's 12.4 K/9 rate is highly impressive. The one knock is that outside of his heater, Bowker doesn't throw his secondary pitches for strikes as much. He will need to develop those pitches more before he is ready for a big-league mound, as it is much more difficult to nibble off the plate against major league bats.

The potential is there for Bowker, and while he may not be in red pinstripes anytime soon, he has the stuff to be an effective pitcher down the road.

Grade: B+

No. 4, 131st overall: Sean Youngerman (Oklahoma State)

The 21-year-old Youngerman is interesting because he was a swingman at Oklahoma State between the rotation and the bullpen. He commands his pitches well but is a fastball-first pitcher.

The Phillies' fourth-rounder's heater hovers around 92-94 mph but can hit higher velocities, particularly in relief per MLB.com's Paul Casella.

Youngerman's strikeout rate isn't as high as the previous three picks, but his numbers speak for themselves. He posted a 2.08 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP over 52 innings. In that span he punched out 59 opposing hitters while walking just eight.

The best usage for Youngerman will depend upon his ability to hone his secondary pitches.

Grade: B

No. 5, 161st overall: Gabe Craig (Baylor)

The Baylor product is an interesting draft choice. He has plus stuff with a dominating slider and above-average fastball. Last season, opposing hitters batted just .111 against Craig's slider.

It took Craig a while to get to this point. He turned 24 already earlier this month which would be considered "old" for a draft prospect, however, that could mean that he could be a quick riser through the Phillies' farm system.

The fifth-rounder displayed dominance in his final season at Baylor this spring. He retired 51 batters on strikes in 32 innings logged while posting an astounding 0.86 ERA and a 0.50 WHIP with just three walks in that span.

It is clear that he was toying with collegiate level players in his most recent season, however, the big leagues are different. Scouts seem to think he could be a prospect who could make an impact with a big-league club soon due to his age. Craig could be a real steal in the fifth round.

Grade: A