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From Staff reports
Pitching was definitely the name of the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft game for the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates in the early rounds.
The Phillies, who are currently leading the National League East at 54-41, owned the 26th, 63rd and 100th picks in the first three rounds and used each one on pitchers.
Here's a glance at who the Phillies drafted:
Round 1 -- Pick 26 -- RHP Gage Wood -- University of
Arkansas
Gage Wood began his college career as Arkansas' closer but was set to join the Razorbacks' rotation until he missed time with a shoulder injury. According to the MLB Analysis' scouting website, Wood has one of the best fastballs in the draft, averaging 94 to 96 miles per hour. His top speed is 98 mph. Scouts said his curveball plays off his fastball well, but he does have a tendency to leave it in the zone. His slider isn't as effective as his curve. Wood has the ingredients to become a starter, and despite his injury, scouts believe he can handle the workload.
Round 2 -- Pick 63 -- LHP Cade
Obermueller --
University of Iowa
Cade Obermueller turned down the Texas Rangers in the 2024 draft, and has seen his stock rise dramatically. Scouts are impressed by his low arm slot that produces excellent metrics on his fastball and slider. The slider in particular generates huge horizontal break. There is still a lack of feel for his changeup, which is inconsistent. Scouts are concerned about his lack of physicality; however. they project him as a starter.
Round 3 -- Pick 100 -- RHP Cody Bowker -- Vanderbilt
Cody Bowker improved his strikeout rate dramatically in 2025. Scouts were enamored by his fastball, which is considered to be his bread and butter pitch, and changeup.
The Pirates, cellar-dwellers in the National League Central, at 39-58, had the sixth, 50th, 73rd and 82nd picks in the first three rounds of the draft.
Here's a glance at who the Pirates drafted:
Round 1 -- Pick 6 -- RHP Seth
Hernandez --
Corona High School
Despite being in high school, Seth Hernandez has been on the Pirates' radar for some time, especially after tossing a complete-game shutout to help Corona win the National High School Invitational Tournament. His 6-4 frame is the ideal pitchers frame, and he has huge stuff and good command of all four pitches. His fastball clocks in the mid-90s and has touched 98 mph. His changeup is a plus. Scouts said Hernandez is a very polished pitcher for his age, and he's considered a solid pick.
Round 2 -- Pick 50 -- RHP Angel
Cervantes --
Warren High School
Angel Cervantes consistently works his fastball in the 91 to 94 mph range while mixing in an effective breaking ball and changeup, scouts said. Cervantes continues to elevate his stock with strong performances against quality competition. He has a good ability to maintain velocity while showing command of multiple off-speed pitches.
Competitive balance round B -- Pick 73 -- 3B Murf Gray -- Fresno State
Scouts love Murf Gray's physical presence and his aggressiveness at the plate. At the same time, scouts believe he will need to tone that down in the professional ranks.
Round 3 -- Pick 82 -- C Easton Carmichael -- University of Oklahoma
Scouts love Easton Carmichael's power and speed combo, and defensively his play is very impressive.