Milwaukee Brewers: Final MLB mock draft has Crew landing pitcher with a 70-grade fastball

At MLB.com, the site’s final MLB mock draft has the Brewers selecting pitcher Gage Wood with their first pick. If they went this route, it would be the first time since 2019 that they took a pitcher in the first round as that year they took Mississippi State Bulldog Ethan Small 28th overall. Wood is listed as MLB.com’s 23rd overall prospect in this year’s draft.

Gage Wood has a 70-grade fastball

Initially a closer his freshman year at the University of Arkansas, Wood’s role expanded into a long reliever his sophomore season. After that, he was tried as a starting pitcher, where he delivered a sensational 19 strikeout no-hit performance during an elimination game at the College World Series earlier this year.

A shoulder injury limited Wood’s sample size as a starter this year to just 10 games, but when on the mound he struck out 69 batters over 37.2 innings of work. His 16.5 K:9 ratio is nuts, but he also managed to do this by limiting walks and showing good command.

Wood’s best pitch is his fastball, which scouts grade at a 70 overall. It tops out around 98 MPH and he consistently sits 94-96 MPH with it. His best secondary pitch is an 82-85 MPH curveball. Improving upon a third pitch, a slider or changeup, will ultimately go a long way as to if he can stick as a starter as a professional baseball player.

Wood is an exciting pitcher to consider getting plugged into the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He’s not a finished product, but with one of the best fastballs in the draft he would be worthy of the 20th overall selection.