Phillies sign 1st-round draft pick pitcher Gage Wood out of Arkansas
The right-handed pitcher from the University of Arkansas officially signed a $3 million contract on Tuesday and will report this week to the Phillies' training complex in Clearwater, Florida.
The 26th overall pick has already had a taste of what his Philly future could be.
FILE - Arkansas pitcher Gage Wood throws to a Texas A&M batter during an NCAA college baseball game, May 17, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (Meredith Seaver/College Station Eagle via AP, File)
'It's awesome. I got to come up here to Philly for the first time, I worked my whole life for this,' the 21-year-old Wood said. 'It's a blessing and I can't wait to get going.'
Wood had spent a few days in the city, seeing an explosive fan reaction when Kyle Schwarber hit a grand slam that proved to be a winning blow over the Angels on Saturday night, and having his family with him in Citizens Bank Park to see the Phillies beat the Red Sox on Monday night on a catcher's interference call.
'The stadium's awesome, the fans are awesome and the environment is incredible,' Wood said. 'It was really surreal.'
When he hasn't been at the ballpark, Wood added, 'I've been working out at the hotel, and we've been playing catch in the strip of grass right across the road.'
It doesn't get any more thrilling than that.
When it comes to his status, however, Wood isn't one for hyperbole. The kid who threw a 19-strikeout no-hitter in the College World Series was asked if he thought that set him apart from other first-round draftees.
Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Mike McIntyre | On Sports
Thursdays
Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.
Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.
College and the professional level are two different stages, so I don't want to get ahead of anything,' Wood said.
For now, his focus is on Florida, where he should find out when and where his professional career will begin.
'I'm going to work as hard as I can to perform the best that I can,' Wood said. 'But I'll let the people in the front office make that decision.'
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Lionesses' triumph: England to celebrate back-to-back European titles with open-top parade
LONDON (AP) — The Lionesses are heading back home to celebrate. England successfully defended its Women's European Championship title by beating world champion Spain in a shootout in the final in Basel, Switzerland on Sunday. After becoming the first England team to win a major tournament on foreign soil, the squad will celebrate its victory with a trip to Downing Street later on Monday. Celebrations will continue on Tuesday with an open-top bus parade in central London, ending with a ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace. Fans erupted with joy across England after Chloe Kelly lashed in her spot kick to give her team a 3-1 win on penalties, after a 1-1 draw following extra time. King Charles III said the team had the royal family's 'warmest appreciation and admiration' following its win. 'The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can,' he added. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The Downing Street reception will be hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. 'The Lionesses have once again captured the hearts of the nation,' British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. 'Their victory is not only a remarkable sporting achievement, but an inspiration for young people across the country. It stands as a testament to the determination, resilience and unity that define this outstanding team.' It was back-to-back European trophies for England and yet another final that Kelly had a huge impact on, after also coming on as a substitute during the Euro 2022 trophy match and scoring the winner against Germany in extra time to clinch a 2-1 victory. ___ AP soccer:
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Phillies visit the White Sox to start 3-game series
Philadelphia Phillies (60-45, second in the NL East) vs. Chicago White Sox (38-68, fifth in the AL Central) Chicago; Monday, 7:40 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Cristopher Sanchez (9-2, 2.32 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 134 strikeouts); White Sox: Davis Martin (2-8, 3.89 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 56 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Phillies -220, White Sox +180; over/under is 8 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago White Sox start a three-game series at home against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday. Chicago has a 22-31 record at home and a 38-68 record overall. The White Sox have a 19-51 record in games when they have given up at least one home run. Philadelphia has a 27-26 record on the road and a 60-45 record overall. The Phillies are 29-7 in games when they hit at least two home runs. The matchup Monday is the first meeting this season between the two clubs. TOP PERFORMERS: Miguel Vargas has 25 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs and 41 RBIs for the White Sox. Andrew Benintendi is 14 for 38 with two doubles, three home runs and eight RBIs over the past 10 games. Kyle Schwarber leads the Phillies with 36 home runs while slugging .574. Bryce Harper is 11 for 40 with five home runs and eight RBIs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: White Sox: 6-4, .284 batting average, 3.80 ERA, outscored opponents by 26 runs Phillies: 6-4, .244 batting average, 4.11 ERA, outscored opponents by 12 runs INJURIES: White Sox: Luis Robert: day-to-day (groin), Prelander Berroa: 60-Day IL (elbow), Shane Smith: 15-Day IL (ankle), Tim Elko: 10-Day IL (knee), Ryan Noda: 10-Day IL (quadricep), Jared Shuster: 15-Day IL (hand), Ky Bush: 60-Day IL (elbow), Miguel Castro: 60-Day IL (knee), Martin Perez: 60-Day IL (forearm), Drew Thorpe: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jesse Scholtens: 60-Day IL (elbow) Phillies: Joe Ross: 15-Day IL (back), Alec Bohm: 10-Day IL (ribcage), Aaron Nola: 60-Day IL (ankle) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Summer McIntosh goes for her second gold on Day 2 at the swimming world championships
SINGAPORE (AP) — It's Day 2 at the swimming world championships in Singapore. That means it's a chance for Summer McIntosh to add her second gold medal after winning the 400 freestyle on the opening day. The 18-year-old Canadian is trying for five individual golds across the eight-day event in Singapore. On Monday she's a strong favorite to get her second gold, this time in the 200-meter individual medley. She set the world record of 2 minutes, 05.70 seconds at the Canadian trials a few months ago. McIntosh is expected to be challenged by American Alex Walsh. Also in the field is 12-year-old Chinese Yu Zidi, whose age and astounding times are the talk of global swimming. The women's 100 butterfly is another eye-catching race. American Gretchen Walsh — Alex's older sister — is the favorite and set the world record of 54.60 earlier this year. Roos Vanotterdijk of Belgium and Australia's Alexandria Perkins will push Walsh. Two more finals are set. Qin Haiyang of China and Nicolo Marinenghi of Italy are the favorites in the 100 breaststroke. The Italian is the Olympian champion from Paris, and Qin won this event two years ago at the worlds in Fukuoka, Japan. The 50 fly final is wide open, but the quickest qualifiers were Maxime Grousset of France and Noe Ponti of Switzerland. There are also three semifinals Monday — the men's 100 backstroke, the men's 200 free, and the women's 100 backstroke. ___ AP sports:
