The Phillies couldn’t have asked for a better return from the All-Star break from their top pitching prospect.
Gage Wood racked up a professional-best nine strikeouts in Double-A Reading’s 10-6 victory over Altoona on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium. MLB’s No. 50 prospect allowed two earned runs on two hits in four innings, tallying three-fourths of his outs via the K.
Wood did the job against a lineup that included Murf Gray (MLB No. 100), whom he punched him out in the fourth inning. Philadelphia’s No. 2 prospect tallied six of nine strikeouts with his fastball, consistently reached 97 mph and finished strong when he struck out the side in the fourth inning.
Wood lowered his ERA to 3.58 at Double-A with 48 strikeouts to just nine walks. The right-hander found a rhythm by May and hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in a start since April 21 at High-A.
COMPLETE PHILLIES PROSPECT COVERAGE
The No. 6 right-handed pitching prospect in the game, Wood continues to justify leapfrogging from Single-A to Double-A. His ability to fill up the zone with a four-pitch mix headlined by a 70-grade fastball was on full display as he didn't issue any walks against Altoona.
The Phillies' first-round pick in 2025 (26th overall), Wood made just one brief start for Single-A Clearwater following the Draft, striking out five over two innings. This year, he sports a 3.51 ERA with 88 strikeouts over 59 innings between the two levels.
Wood represented the Phillies in the All-Star Futures Game on July 12 at Citizens Bank Park. The National League starter allowed an earned run on one hit in his lone inning of work in his organization's friendly confines.