Minnesota Twins Could Land Star of College World Series, and They Should Not Hesitate

[Matthew Taylor]

Image courtesy of © Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

The MLB Draft offers teams a chance to dream big, and after the show Gage Wood just put on in Omaha, the University of Arkansas right-hander should be near the top of Minnesota’s board at pick 16.

Wood made national headlines with a performance that will be talked about for years. Against Murray State in the College World Series, Wood threw a no-hitter with 19 strikeouts, setting a record for a nine-inning game in Omaha. He was one hit batter in the eighth inning from a perfect game. It was only the third no-hitter in CWS history, and by far the most overpowering. The outing instantly elevated his stock from an intriguing draft arm to one of the most electric prospects in the country.

Wood’s profile backs up the hype. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and can reach 96 miles per hour, paired with a power curveball that consistently generates swings and misses. Across 10 starts this season in the SEC, Wood posted a 3.82 ERA while striking out 16.5 batters per nine innings. He began his college career as a closer, but transitioned into a full-time starting role in 2025 and improved steadily throughout the year.

ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel recently mocked Wood to the Twins at pick 16, noting that the right-hander could be moved quickly through the minors and might even see high-leverage innings out of a bullpen as a developmental stepping stone. The idea of Wood reaching the upper minors soon, or potentially helping in relief as early as this year, is drawing attention from teams seeking both ceiling and immediacy.

Twins Daily draft expert Jamie Cameron highlighted Wood’s unique traits, pointing out that his fastball averages 96 with 17 inches of vertical break and 9.5 inches of arm-side movement from a 5-foot-5 release height, creating an unusual plane that makes life difficult for hitters.

“If he stays healthy,” Cameron said, “he should be in the majors in two seasons.”

Wood currently sits at No. 43 on Twins Daily’s consensus draft board. With mock draft updates coming after the College World Series, he’s expected to rise significantly.

The comparisons to Cubs right-hander Cade Horton are already rolling in. Horton was a breakout performer in the 2022 College World Series who turned a late surge into a top-10 draft slot and was in the majors within three years. Like Horton, Wood’s combination of big-game poise, fastball power, and breaking ball effectiveness makes him one of the most compelling arms in the class.

Despite Minnesota’s offensive struggles this season, the MLB Draft does not revolve around short-term roster needs. Building sustainable success means replenishing strengths, and the organization’s pitching pipeline has already shown signs of wear. Continued investment is necessary, and adding an arm like Wood helps ensure long-term depth and impact.

The Twins have a proven track record of developing pitching, particularly adding velocity and refining arsenals. If the organization can help Wood tack on a few more ticks to his fastball and build a third pitch to go along with his fastball and curve, his upside could be enormous. Even if he remains a two-pitch power arm, the floor looks like a high-leverage reliever with quick upside.

Minnesota has not taken a college pitcher in the first round since 2015 (who remembers Tyler Jay?). This year presents a rare opportunity to grab one with both polish and electricity, who just delivered one of the greatest postseason outings college baseball has ever seen. Gage Wood checks every box: velocity, strikeouts, swagger, and a fearless approach in the spotlight.

If he is on the board at pick 16, Minnesota should not hesitate.

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What do you think about Gage Wood as a potential first-round pick? Which direction should the Twins go in this year’s draft? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!

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[Patzky]

Sounds great but other teams were watching too .

[Parfigliano]

12 minutes ago, Patzky said:

Sounds great but other teams were watching too .

Yup.  If the guys rocketing up draft boards he isn't going to be available at pick #16

[tony&rodney]

I remember Tyler Jay.

Having not watched the young pitcher, I have no opinion on him. I'm also cognizant that NCAA D1 baseball is FCL level, so the hike up the levels is huge. Nevertheless, the best players are really good and progress rapidly. We have seen the Angels and A's bring up players with success after less than a year in the minor leagues. Best player available is the key. If that player is a bat, then we also need to require said guy to own a glove. The Twins are completely flush with DH types.

[LambchoP]

If he's really that great, he probably won't be available to us. I do like the idea of investing in high level college arms, particularly starters. We've seen how quickly a rotation can fall apart and depth being tested. You can never have too much pitching. Let's load up on arms. The more guys we develop, the better chance we have of some of them working out.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

He’s probably great but Philip Humber and Dallas Braden pitched perfect games in the majors and that didn’t make them superstars.  If the real analysis holds up, I’m fine with it.  But don’t be distracted by the shiny object.  

[TopGunn#22]

I completely agree the Twins should take him if he falls to #16.  That's a big "if" but he would be my pick.  He was tremendous in that no-hit, 19 K game.  I was wowed.  Now, that one game cannot be the entire basis of your selection, but it looks like he's got 2 PLUS-PLUS pitches in his fastball and curveball.  If he can perfect a change-up that would be an excellent mix.  You can say it was against against Murray State, but the Racers got there and made some noise as well. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Twins have had a pretty good formula in place the last couple of years.  Taking the best bats in the early rounds with 1 high level pitching prospect taken in their 1st 3-4 picks.   I am not saying they won't take him, but I would say the odds are slim.   Chase Petty is their highest pick of a pitcher at pick 26, followed by Priellip pick 48 in 2022,  Soto picked 34th in 2023 and Hill picked 69 last year.      

Twins have pick 16, 36, 54 and 88  in the top 100 picks.    Most likely their competitive balance pick or round 2 pick is where they will take a stab at a high end pitching prospect.  

[Western SD Fan]

I don't want to pour cold water on the kid, but maybe we should pump the brakes for the moment.  It's a great accomplishment to pitch a no-hitter at the CWS, but it was against Murray State, a team whose Cinderella slipper finally fell off.  The Twins should stay the course on their scouting and draft the best available player that addresses their future needs.  Drafting good pitching is never out of style.

[D.C Twins]

overreacting to one start against college hitters is probably not wise. 

Draft based on stuff... his stuff did not change in one start. Whatever draft position his stuff warranted before that start is where he should still be

[Mike Sixel]

I'm guessing he's thrown too many pitches also, given how college coaches work. Also, I can't see them moving a pitcher up this year/next. They just don't operate that way.

[Galen]

Wow, 3.82 ERA in college this year.  I wonder what that would translate to in the majors. 

[thelanges5]

I’d like to see the Twins take Ike Irish at the 16 spot. Not sure he’ll be available but had a monster offensive year and is a catcher (we don’t have many of those)

[cheeseheadgophfan]

If you didn't watch the no-hitter, you should.

The stuff is amazing.  He sat 94-98 mph the entire game, including 97 on the last pitch (it was like pitch #115ish).

He's got a drop dead overhand tight curveball.  Slider and change as well.  

He hasn't thrown a ton of innings/pitches like a lot of college pitchers.  

My concern is he missed 2 months of this season with a shoulder impingement.  That's obviously alarming.  

[Trov]

I am not going to say I know any more than the FO or the people that actually scout these guys, but I would hope they are not drafting a guy just based on one game in the college world series.  The kid was a closer his first 2 years, then was injured this year.  He put up nice K numbers at 16.5 per 9 innings.  I think 2 questions will be if his arm will be able to adjust to long outings or will he be a pen guy.  

If he can be anywhere close to that k-rate then he will make it.  I would like to know how players did the 2nd or 3rd time through in his few starts he did make though.

[cheeseheadgophfan]

1 hour ago, Trov said:

I am not going to say I know any more than the FO or the people that actually scout these guys, but I would hope they are not drafting a guy just based on one game in the college world series.  The kid was a closer his first 2 years, then was injured this year.  He put up nice K numbers at 16.5 per 9 innings.  I think 2 questions will be if his arm will be able to adjust to long outings or will he be a pen guy.  

If he can be anywhere close to that k-rate then he will make it.  I would like to know how players did the 2nd or 3rd time through in his few starts he did make though.

His arm can definitely adjust to long outings....he threw over 110 pitches in the no hitter....

Whether it can stay healthy long-term is the million dollar question.....

[BSLinPA]

3 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'm guessing he's thrown too many pitches also, given how college coaches work. Also, I can't see them moving a pitcher up this year/next. They just don't operate that way.

Took just a few clicks to know that your "guess" is wrong.

2023   30 IP/30 APP (NCAA) + 6 IP/2 APP (summer league)

2024   40 IP/22 APP (NCAA) + 19 IP/6 APP (summer league)

2025   38 IP/10 APP (NCAA) - safe bet that he wont be pitching in a summer league!!

 

[S Bart]

"COULD" ...................

[Eris]

“The outing instantly elevated his stock from an intriguing draft arm to one of the most electric prospects in the country.“

if this is truly the situation, then there is way to much group think from the evaluators 

[Otaknam]

I hope he is available at 16 and they draft him. The Twins thought they had enough starter depth, but found out they don’t. They seem to prefer drafting college pitchers after the first couple of rounds, probably because hitters are easier to project than  pitchers who are prone to potential arm problems. But a college starter like Wood could benefit from the Twins developmental system, and maybe add a couple ticks to his fastball. 

[twinstalker]

LOL at premise.  Pretty much the Catch-22 of sports.

[nicksaviking]

On 6/20/2025 at 11:45 AM, Mike Sixel said:

I'm guessing he's thrown too many pitches also, given how college coaches work. Also, I can't see them moving a pitcher up this year/next. They just don't operate that way.

That was my take away too. We was a closer last year and now this year he's throwing complete games? 

But now in the middle of typing this post I'm looking at his stats, and he's had ten starts and thrown 37.2 innings. So a soon to-be 22-year old with the Marco Raya treatment? That doesn't sound like ENOUGH innings to me. No idea what to make of this guy, but I wouldn't make anything about a no hitter against Murray State.