{"id":152533,"date":"2025-07-05T00:25:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-05T00:25:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/152533\/"},"modified":"2025-07-05T00:25:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T00:25:09","slug":"gage-wood-2025-mlb-draft-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/152533\/","title":{"rendered":"Gage Wood 2025 MLB Draft Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"

Starting pitcher Gage Wood<\/a> exploded onto the scene in the College World Series and has seen his draft stock rise significantly. The Arkansas native posted a 3.82 ERA with a 0.903 WHIP for his hometown Razorbacks this year. This included posting an absurd 16.5 K\/9 with only 1.7 BB\/9, walking only seven batters all year while striking out 69. The highlight of his year was a 19-strikeout, no-hitter performance in the MCWS against Murray State.<\/p>\n

\"\"Jun 16, 2025; Omaha, Neb, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks starting pitcher Gage Wood (14) celebrates with infielder Gabe Fraser (6) after throwing a no hitter against the Murray State Racers at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Should Gage Wood be selected, he would join Hagen Smith as back-to-back first-round picks for the Razorbacks.<\/p>\n

Gage Wood MLB Draft Profile
\nWhat Allows Wood to be So Good<\/p>\n

With a K\/9 as high as it is, Wood utilizes four pitches to dominate hitters. His arsenal is led by a 70-grade fastball that sits at 94-96 mph and can reach 98 at times. The last pitcher to get a 70-grade fastball was Iowa\u2019s Brody Brecht<\/a> in the 2024 draft. His fastball plays up due to his low release height and the flat arm angle to get an elite swing and miss rate. His secondaries include a 55-grade curveball, a 45-grade slider, and a 45-grade changeup. While the slider and changeup do not play as well, the curveball plays off the fastball along the bottom of the zone to get chases from batters.<\/p>\n

19 STIKEOUTS.
NO-HITTER.
ELIMINATION GAME.<\/p>\n

GAGE WOOD WITH A LEGENDARY PERFORMANCE IN OMAHA \ud83d\udd25 @RazorbackBSB<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/N47FAjJ4vc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SEC Network (@SECNetwork) June 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Weaknesses in His Game<\/p>\n

While it is more difficult to succeed with a two-pitch mix, Wood needs to develop another secondary to blossom. Despite the action his changeup gets, it would seem his upper-80s slider can be his equalizer. Outside of his pitches, his biggest concern has been his health, as he has never gone over 41 innings in a season. This is in addition to a couple of shoulder injuries that have plagued him throughout his career. If he is not able to handle the workload as a starter, his arsenal plays extremely well as a reliever.<\/p>\n

MLB Comparison<\/p>\n

When comparing Wood to MLB pitchers, the most similar could be Cade Horton<\/a> of the Chicago Cubs or Hunter Brown<\/a> of the Houston Astros. This is due to the high-ride fastball they possess in addition to a wipeout curveball. Additionally, both pitchers have similar walk rates as well as secondaries that convert similarly to Wood\u2019s. While he may not be a top-10 pick, with some development, Wood can be a late first-round steal for any team that does select him.<\/p>\n

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Main Photo Credit: \u00a9 Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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