Alex Wood

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #7 prospect in 2013
  Wood posted the best ERA by a Georgia starter since ex-big leaguer Dave Fleming in 1989. The Braves liked Wood so much that they were leaning toward drafting him in the first round last June if Lucas Sims hadn't been on the board. A redshirt sophomore who had Tommy John surgery before his college career started, Wood went 88th overall and signed for $700,000. He made a seamless transition to low Class A, helping guide Rome to the playoffs before he was sidelined with a pulled back muscle. Wood pounds the strike zone on both sides of the plate with a low-90s fastball that touches 96 mph. He does a good job of working off his heater, then destroys hitters' timing with his above-average changeup. He can fall in love too much with his changeup at times. Scouts have two concerns with Wood: his breaking ball and mechanics. He struggles to throw his below-average slider for strikes and may need a better third pitch in order to remain a starter. He also employs a high-effort delivery in which he hops backward on his right leg after landing on it, though he does throw strikes. Wood's strong debut showed why Atlanta was so high on him. He should move quickly through the system and likely will finish his first full pro season in Double-A. With a better breaking ball, he could become a solid No. 3 starter.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #54 prospect in 2012 draft
  Scouts can't recall a delivery quite like Wood's. When he lands on his right (lead) leg, he hops backward. It's odd to watch and will be difficult for pro pitching coaches to avoid changing. Still, he does a lot of good things, starting with his fastball. He has excellent velocity for a lefthander, touching 95-96 mph regularly and sitting in the 89-94 range. He throws a lot of strikes with his heater, showing the ability to locate it to both sides of the plate. When he's filling up the zone with his fastball, he's able to set up his changeup, his favorite pitch and a solid-average offering. His slider is a below-average pitch, and he has never shown much of a feel for spinning a breaking ball. A redshirt sophomore, Wood has had Tommy John surgery already, and between that and his delivery, he creates a wide diversity of opinion. But power lefthanders who throw strikes and perform in the Southeastern Conference (6-1, 2.64, 82 IP, 81-19 SO-BB) usually don't last long on draft day.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #6 prospect in 2013
  The Orioles? Kevin Gausman, the Cardinals? Michael Wacha and Wood, a trio of college pitchers from the 2012 draft, all made their big league debuts during the same eight-day stretch in May. Despite going off the draft board more than 60 picks after the touted righthanders, Wood produced the best results in 2013, remaining in the Braves rotation once being transferred there from the bullpen on July 25. No evaluation of Wood can begin without first mentioning his delivery. He coils backward, pointing his right knee toward second base, before taking a giant stride toward the plate. After landing, he hops backwards on his right leg. This motion clearly disrupts the timing of opposing batters, though Wood?s stuff, control and feel for pitching would make him a No. 3 starter candidate, regardless. He tops out at 96 mph but generally sits in the low 90s, painting both corners with arm-side run. Wood?s go-to secondary pitch is a plus 83-85 mph changeup that fades and bottoms out as it nears the plate. The most crucial development for Wood this season was the development of a high-70s spike curveball he workshopped with Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters during spring training. He?ll also occasionally snap off a mid-80s slider with hard tilt, but he prefers the curve.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: The Braves liked Wood so much that they were leaning toward drafting him in the first round last June if Lucas Sims hadn't been on the board. A Georgia redshirt sophomore who has Tommy John surgery before his college career started, Wood went 88th overall and signed for $700,000. He made a seamless transition to low Class A, helping guide Rome to the playoffs before a pulled back muscle sidelined him. Scouting Report: Wood pounds the strike zone on both sides of the plate with a low-90s fastball that touches 96 mph. He does a good job of working off his heater, then destroys hitters' timing with his above-average changeup. He can fall in love too much with his changeup at times. Scouts have two concerns with Wood: his breaking ball and mechanics. He struggles to throw his below-average slider for strikes and may need a better third pitch in order to remain a starter. He also employs a funky delivery in which he hops backward on his right leg after landing on it, though he does throw strikes. The Future: Wood's strong debut showed why Atlanta was so high on him. He should move quickly through the system and likely will finish his first full pro season in Double-A. With a better breaking ball, he could become a solid No. 3 starter.