The Philadelphia Phillies signed first-round draft pick Gage Wood, the club announced Tuesday.
He signed for $3 million, under the slot value of $3,492,200. Team sources said the Phillies expect to sign 19 of their 20 draft picks.
Selected 26th overall in the 2025 MLB Draft, Wood is best known for throwing a no-hitter against Murray State in the 2025 College World Series — the event’s third-ever no-hitter and first in more than 60 years. The Arkansas pitcher had a perfect game until the eighth, when he hit a batter in the foot.
“I think about it almost every day,” Wood said at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday of hitting the batter and ending his perfect game bid.
In 10 starts in 2025, the right-hander went 4-1 with a 3.82 ERA in 37 2/3 innings. He struck out 69 and walked seven.
Wood throws a fastball that reaches 98 mph. The pitch drew the highest whiff rate of any fastball in Division I baseball this past season. His curveball sits around 83-85 mph. He also throws a cutter and splitter, which the Phillies envision him using in a starter’s four-pitch mix.
“He throws his cutter in the upper 80s, low 90s,” Arkansas pitching coach Matt Hobbs told The Athletic. “For a guy that’s pitching north and south, to have something that moves hard and lateral is a real big weapon for him. He didn’t need it a ton in college. He’ll need it more in pro ball.
The Batesville, Ark., native was injured for nearly two months of the NCAA season with a shoulder impingement before returning in mid-April. The Phillies were not concerned about the injury after scouting him through the end of his college career.
He said he’s adopted some new habits to work on his shoulder stability since the injury, but nothing too major. His coaches at Arkansas attributed his quick comeback to his work ethic and excelling at the “boring” things, like recovering and taking care of his body.
It’s official! ✍️
The Phillies have signed right-handed pitcher Gage Wood, selected No. 26 overall in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft. pic.twitter.com/1dvkHL7cNP
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 22, 2025
Wood arrived at Citizens Bank Park a few days before Philadelphia announced the signing. To stay in shape, he worked out at his hotel and threw in a strip of grass across the road. He’s also caught some Phillies games, including Saturday’s featuring Kyle Schwarber’s grand slam — which he said was “pretty special” to watch.
“I’ve been showing (the video) to all my friends, that this place was going bonkers,” Wood said.
He took to the field on Tuesday, where he and his family watched batting practice. Wood also toured the clubhouse, meeting with Phillies players and manager Rob Thomson.
Thomson’s first impression?
“He looks like he’s very strong — looks like he’s been in the weight room,” he said.
The trip marks Wood’s first time in Philadelphia, though he has one early Phillies memory. Cliff Lee, also an Arkansas native, hosted a camp in Little Rock when Wood was young. Wood attended, and Lee signed his glove.
Wood’s professional career will begin tomorrow in Clearwater, Fla., where he will “work as hard as I can to perform the best that I can.”
(Photo: Steven Branscombe / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)