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Gage Wood has become the sensation of the College World Series, and it comes at a time when Major League Baseball teams are getting ready for the draft next month. On Monday, Wood had a historic showing for the Arkansas Razorbacks, striking out 19 while posting a no-hitter in Arkansas' 3-0 victory over Murray State. It was a performance that even caught the attention of Cubs' former first-round pick Jordan Wicks.
Wood is among the pitching prospects eligible for this year's draft, and it's safe to say his stock is on the rise. In Kiley McDaniels' latest mock draft from ESPN, he has the Minnesota Twins selecting Wood one pick ahead of the Cubs. Ironically, in his first mock draft, McDaniels had the Cubs taking Wood.
Wood would have been an intriguing selection for the Cubs, who are short on top pitching prospects. With Cade Horton graduating to the Major League level and Brandon Birdsell set to miss most of the 2025 season, Jaxon Wiggins becomes the Cubs' next top pitching prospect. That's nothing against Wiggins, who could easily be the organization's best pitching prospect by the end of the season, but it speaks to the lack of pitching prospects the Cubs have.
Cubs miss out on College World Series phenom in latest mock draft
With Wood off the board, McDaniels has the Cubs taking his teammate, shortstop Wehiwa Aloy, with the No. 17 selection. Volatility seems to define Aloy's draft status, with McDaniels suggesting he could go early in the draft, or possibly after the Cubs are on the clock. With the Razorbacks this season, Aloy is slashing .352/.438/.682 with 21 home runs. Like Cam Smith was last season, there's a belief that Aloy could ascend quickly through a minor-league organization.
As was the thinking with Keith Law's mock draft, there seems to be a consensus that the Cubs may be looking to replace the loss of Smith with their selection in the first round of this year's draft.
That said, if a high-ceiling pitcher like Wood is on the board when the Cubs are on the clock, it feels like the Cubs wouldn't pass on that opportunity. Especially when you consider the Cubs need to add arms to the top of their farm system rankings.