We are at the apex of MLB mock draft season and it is still pretty unclear what the Atlanta Braves are going to do with their first pick. The biggest issue, of course, is that the Braves pick pretty far down and there is just so much uncertainty with the picks ahead of them. However, there is a great deal of mystery as to whether Atlanta will stick with their usual draft strategy of targeting arms or if they will actually pick a bat early for a change.
The 2025 MLB Draft is just days away and the information that is starting to come out now is much more informed than earlier when mock drafts were essentially just glorified prospect rankings. Connections are actually being made with real intelligence and it is becoming clear that if he is available, Arkansas starter Gage Wood will absolutely be on the Braves' radar according to Keith Law's latest mock draft for The Athletic.
Braves connected yet again to RHP Gage Wood in Keith Law's mock draft
Wood has been a popular name with the Braves in multiple mock drafts from multiple outlets in recent weeks. Wood's draft stock had taken a pretty significant hit after dealing with shoulder issues during the season, but then he returned strong and proceeded to throw a no-hitter during the College World Series which has him firmly in the first round discussion again.
A college arm with big league stuff is the kind of value pick that Atlanta has made their first round calling card. Assuming he is completely healthy, Wood's mid-90's fastball that plays up and power breaking stuff is more than worthy of getting picked at #22 overall.
However, there are a couple wrinkles to this plan. The first is that since Wood was so good in the CWS, there is a real chance that he isn't even available when the Braves pick as a number of contending teams who pick right before Atlanta could pop him as an arm that might move through the minors quickly. The other issue is his medicals. If there is a sense that there is real damage to his shoulder, the Braves could steer clear and rightly so despite how good his stuff is.
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