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Jun 04, 2012 - Jun 06, 2012     
TBD - ,
Alex Wood
LHP 1B 6-4 197   R/L
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle
4/25/12: There are a trio of items in Alex Wood’s prospect resume that are traditional causes of concern for scouts; his Tommy John history, his unique delivery mechanics and his lack of a quality breaking ball. But despite those items, Wood’s equally big plusses have moved him steadily up draft lists this spring and make the third-year sophomore a strong candidate to be selected on Day 1 of the draft. Wood first came onto the scout radar as a 6-foot-4, 200-pound southpaw at perennial North Carolina powerhouse Kell High School. He was throwing in the 86-88 mph range as a senior when he hurt his elbow and underwent TJ surgery, which caused him to redshirt during his first season at Georgia in 2010. He gave immediate glimpse into his future potential, though, when he pitched in the Cape Cod League coming out of rehab in the summer of 2010 and topped out at 93 mph. Wood was moved right into the Friday night starter’s role last spring for the Bulldogs, who were trying to completely rebuild their pitching staff after a 16-37 2010 season that saw their staff post a mind boggling 8.51 ERA for the season. Wood responded about as well as one could expect a freshman to under the bright lights of the SEC, going 6-7, 4.44 in 101 innings as Georgia rebounded with a 33-32 record, including two wins in NCAA regional play. Wood picked up one of those wins, throwing 8 innings against Arkansas-Little Rock under elimination game pressure. This season has seen Wood pick it up a notch both in terms of his raw stuff and performance. He’s 5-1, 2.57 in 66 innings as of April 25, with 69 strikeouts and only 14 walks, and has been strong and consistent in virtually all his starts this spring. His fastball has improved from the 90-93 mph range to 92-96 mph without any decline in movement or his ability to command it, and his changeup is now a projectable plus pitch at the professional level. While they indisputably work for him, Wood’s pitching mechanics are unique almost to an extreme and scouts tend to get more critical of deliveries the further they get from being “standard.” Wood has a deep arm circle in back with a pronounced stab at the bottom and his hand has to travel a long way to get back to his high three quarters extended release point. But the most distinctive part of Wood’s mechanics are the severe all-body recoil he has after release that actually has him jumping back 6-to-12 inches towards the rubber off his landing foot. The overall mechanics and look no doubt provide deception to the hitters and Wood repeats them exceptionally well, as evidenced by his command and walk numbers. The biggest effect of Wood’s mechanics, though, is what will likely keep him from being a first round pick and give scouts some question as to whether he can remain a starter all the way up to the big league level. The deep arm action and the recoil make it difficult for Wood to get out front and over the top of any breaking ball. He throws a low-80s slider that is his third best offering and is used mostly on left handed hitters, and it is difficult to project how well that pitch will progress moving forward. The bottom line is that 6-foot-4 left handers who can touch 95-96 mph with command and a plus changeup are a very rare type of prospect. It’s those tools and skills that will define Wood on June 4.




Jun 30, 2009 - Jul 06, 2009   South Charlotte Panthers 2009  45
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Alex Wood
LHP 1B 6-4 197   R/L
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Oct 23, 2008 - Oct 27, 2008   South Charlotte Panthers  45
Roger Dean Complex - Jupiter, FL
Alex Wood
LHP 1B 6-4 197   R/L
FB
86
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
82-85
CB
SL
75
CH
79
Split
Knuckle




Jul 08, 2008 - Jul 14, 2008   South Charlotte Panthers 2010  45
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Alex Wood
LHP 1B 6-4 197   R/L
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Jul 01, 2008 - Jul 07, 2008   South Charlotte Panthers 2009  45
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Alex Wood
LHP 1B 6-4 197   R/L
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Oct 25, 2007 - Oct 29, 2007   South Charlotte Panthers  45
Roger Dean Complex - Jupiter, FL
Alex Wood
LHP 1B 6-0 160   R/L
FB
86
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
83-84
CB
73
SL
CH
78
Split
Knuckle




Jul 17, 2007 - Jul 22, 2007   South Charlotte Panthers  45
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Alex Wood
LHP 1B 6-0 160   R/L
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Jul 10, 2007 - Jul 16, 2007   South Charlotte Panthers  45
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Alex Wood
LHP 1B 6-0 160   R/L
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Jun 27, 2006 - Jul 02, 2006   Charlotte Hawks Baseball  8
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Alex Wood
LHP 1B 6-0 160   R/L
FB
82
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
71
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle