Mike Wood

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #12 prospect in 2004
  Though Wood was undrafted out of high school and went to NCAA Division II North Florida as a walk-on infielder, he reached the majors little more than two years after turning pro. But after he succeeded at every stop in the minors, big league hitters were able to tee off on his mid-80s pitches. Wood has a devastating sinker that the A's have compared to Tim Hudson's, and the same scout (John Poloni) signed both pitchers. Oakland now believes his best role might be as a reliever who enters in double-play situations. Wood reached 91 mph as a college closer but his velocity has been down to 86-89 as a pro. He also throws a splitter and changeup, both highly effective pitches, and has good command of the strike zone. Wood probably will begin 2004 in the Triple-A rotation, waiting for an opening in the Oakland bullpen.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #5 prospect in 2003
  Undrafted out of high school, Wood attended NCAA Division II North Florida as a walk-on. He was a backup infielder as a freshman, moved into the rotation as a sophomore and became the team's closer as a junior. He has made a huge impression since joining the A's, using his dominant sinker to get outs at every level. Oakland calls Wood's out pitch a "super sinker" and compares it favorably to Tim Hudson's. Hitters repeatedly beat Wood's sinker into the ground or swing over the top of it. He pitches off his sinker with a slider, splitter and changeup. Velocity remains a concern. Wood reached 91 mph in college but has pitched in the mid-80s as a pro. There are some questions whether his sinker, which is slower than Hudson's, will be effective against major league hitters. His slider also needs work. Should Wood improve his velocity and slider, he could become a front-of-the-rotation starter. Because Oakland has plenty of starters and Wood has bullpen experience, his long-term role could be relief. He'll go to spring training with a chance to win a Triple-A job.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #11 prospect in 2002
  Wood emerged as one of the big surprises of the 2001 draft, exhibiting a sinking two-seam fastball that drops from hitters' thighs to their ankles, the same sort of pitch that has lifted Tim Hudson to prominence. Wood was signed by John Poloni, the same area scout who tabbed Hudson as a sixth-round selection in 1997, so the comparisons are inevitable. Wood also throws a slider, splitter and changeup, giving him an effective fourpitch repertoire. After just five appearances in short-season ball, he was moved on to high Class A, where he continued to prove effective. During most of his pro debut, Wood pitched with a tired arm and worked in the mid-80s with his sinker. He threw in the low 90s in college, and the A's expect a return to that velocity after an offseason of rest and weight work. Wood walked on at North Florida an infielder before moving to the mound as a sophomore. He set a school record with 16 saves last spring as the Ospreys finished third in the Division II College World Series. He could reach Double-A Midland at some point in 2002.

• December, 2001 Scouting Report
  Wood emerged as one of the big surprises of the 2001 draft, exhibiting a sinking two-seam fastball that drops from hitters' thighs to their ankles, the same sort of pitch that has lifted Tim Hudson to prominence. Wood was signed by John Poloni, the same area scout who tabbed Hudson as a sixth-round selection in 1997, so the comparisons are inevitable. Wood also throws a slider, splitter and changeup, giving him an effective fourpitch repertoire. After just five appearances in short-season ball, he was moved on to high Class A, where he continued to prove effective. During most of his pro debut, Wood pitched with a tired arm and worked in the mid-80s with his sinker. He threw in the low 90s in college, and the A's expect a return to that velocity after an offseason of rest and weight work. Wood walked on at North Florida an infielder before moving to the mound as a sophomore. He set a school record with 16 saves last spring as the Ospreys finished third in the Division II College World Series. He could reach Double-A Midland at some point in 2002.