For the first time since 2019, before Brian Barber took over as amateur scouting director, the Phillies used their first-round draft pick on a college player, taking right-hander Gage Wood from the University of Arkansas with the 26th overall selection Sunday night.

Nonetheless, even if it isn’t so visible to the average fan, the 20-round MLB draft is integral to building and sustaining success for any organization. The two-day, 2025 draft began Sunday night, and the Phillies selected righthanded pitcher Gage Wood from the University of Arkansas in the first round with the 26th overall pick.

Gage Wood delivered one of the College World Series’ strongest pitching performances ever when he threw a 119-pitch no-hitter on June 16.  He was part of a different kind of history when the Phillies selected him 26th during Sunday’s 2025 MLB Draft — the first of three pitchers the club took,