The New York Mets hold the 38th pick in the 2025 MLB draft, a time in which they can look to improve their farm system. With David Stearns, one of the top talent evaluators in Major League Baseball, the Mets should be in a good position to find talent.
Recently searching for who the Mets could select, Just Baseball predicted them to take Gage Wood, a right-hander out of the University of Arkansas. Wood recently threw a no-hitter at the College World Series, dominating Murray State.
“If you’re looking for the ability to miss bats with the fastball, look no further than Arkansas’ Gage Wood. The secondaries haven’t quite caught up with the fastball but Wood would (see what I did there?) likely flourish as a starter in a strong Mets pitching development environment.
“What has only continued to get better during his time at Arkansas? The flamethrowing right-hander doesn’t exactly have the ideal pitching build at 6 ft, 205 lb, but it’s fastball plays up big time. He spent 3 years at Arkansas, and 2025 was his best showing yet, posting a 3.82 ERA and striking out 69 hitters and 37.2 Innings. It was his first full season as a starter for the Razorbacks,” they wrote.
How Would Wood Translate to the Majors?
According to MLB.com, they believe Wood has one of the best fastballs in the draft, adding that he relies heavily on his fastball, which could be worrisome at times in Major League Baseball.
“After Wood became Arkansas’ closer as a freshman in 2023 and then continued to log high-leverage relief innings as a sophomore, scouts looked forward to him joining the rotation this spring. He came down with a shoulder impingement after his second start and missed two months before coming back for the stretch run. Though his command was sporadic, his combination of stuff and strikes could still land him in the top two rounds.
“Wood has one of the best fastballs in the Draft, sitting at 94-96 mph and reaching 98. Its combination of velocity and carry, along with his low release height and flat approach angle, produce elite rates of chases, as well as overall and in-zone swing and misses. He relies heavily on his heater and a power 82-85 mph curveball that shows flashes of becoming a plus pitch,” they wrote.
Wood’s No-Hitter Elevated His Draft Stock
Wood only raised his stock on the New York Mets and other teams’ draft boards after his performance earlier in the week. According to ESPN, Wood was just the third pitcher in Men’s College World Series history and the first in 65 years to throw a no-hitter. They also added that he broke another record by striking out 19 hitters in his 9 Innings of work.
“Arkansas’ Gage Wood pitched the third no-hitter in Men’s College World Series history and first in 65 years Monday, striking out a record 19 and never letting Murray State come close to getting a hit in the Razorbacks’ 3-0 victory.
“Wood joined Jim Ehrler of Texas in 1950 and Jim Wixson of Oklahoma State in 1960 as the only pitchers to throw MCWS no-hitters, and his defense was never really challenged as he dominated a Racers team that was making its first Omaha appearance,” ESPN wrote.
If he’s there for the Mets to take, it wouldn’t be the worst idea.
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