Phillies Go Arms Race in Round 1: Gage Wood headlines 2025 MLB Draft haul
The Phillies are in win-now mode at the big-league level — but on Sunday night, they made it clear they’re loading the chamber for the future, too.
With the 26th pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Phillies selected Gage Wood, a right-hander from the University of Arkansas who just threw a no-hitter in the College World Series and struck out 19 in the process.
Phillies select Gage Wood 26th overall
Yes, nineteen. It was the first no-no in Omaha since 1960 and the most strikeouts in a nine-inning game in College World Series history. That’s the kind of performance that gets your name called early.
Gage Wood College World Series No Hitter
Shoutout Me: I’ve been all over Gage Wood to the Phillies since earlier this year.
Gage Wood’s profile is explosive.
Fastball that touches 98, a hammer curve, a slider and changeup to mix. He was a closer to start his college career before moving to the rotation this spring, though a shoulder issue limited him to just 10 starts. It’s not the first time he’s dealt with shoulder problems, so there’s some chatter that he may eventually move back to the bullpen.
That’s fine. This guy will play.
And don’t be surprised if he gets here fast. The Phillies haven’t taken a college pitcher in the first round since 2014 — and that guy, Aaron Nola, was in red pinstripes just one year later. Gage Wood has a shot to follow a similar track.
It’s also notable that this was Brian Barber’s first time taking a college arm in the first round since he took over amateur scouting. His past five first-round picks were all high schoolers — Mick Abel, Andrew Painter, Justin Crawford, Aidan Miller, and Dante Nori. Wood breaks the trend and brings some instant electricity to the system.
The Phillies’ Day 1 Draft Picks:
26. Gage Wood, RHP, Arkansas
Mid-90s heater (touching 98), elite curveball, College World Series no-hitter, strikeout-to-walk ratio of 69-to-7 in 37.2 innings. Big stuff. Big upside.
63. Cade Obermueller, LHP, Iowa
Another college starter, and another heater that’s touched 98. The son of former big-leaguer Wes Obermueller, Cade posted a 3.02 ERA over 15 starts as a junior. His low arm slot plays up with his fastball-slider mix. Could be a sneaky fast mover.
100. Cody Bowker, RHP, Vanderbilt
Yet another high-level arm out of a powerhouse program. The Phils clearly weren’t playing games on Day 1. They loaded up on velocity, pedigree, and projectability.
The Phillies entered Sunday with the 26th pick and a $7.8 million bonus pool. They walked away with three college arms and a potential Nola-in-waiting in Gage Wood. If his shoulder holds up, his floor is a late-inning weapon — but the ceiling? That might be top-of-the-rotation stuff.
Either way, Philly’s pitching factory just got a lot more crowded.
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