The Pittsburgh Pirates have drafted Georgia left-handed pitcher Jaden Woods in the seventh round of the 2023 MLB draft. Woods ranks 152nd by Baseball America and 236th by MLB Pipeline.
Jaden Woods, LHP, Georgia
Age: 21 | DOB: 2/1/02 | HT: 6′ 2″ | WT: 205 | B/T: L/L
2023 Stats
Woods pitched in the Georgia rotation this year, making ten starts with a 5.77 ERA. He had 62 strikeouts and 25 walks in 48.1 innings of work. Prior to this season, Woods made five starts the previous two years with Georgia.
The Mechanics
Baseball America describes Woods: “He pitches out of a half windup with a clean arm action, explosion off the rubber in his lower half and a balanced, easy finish in his landing.”
The Pitches
Compiling the Baseball America and MLB Pipeline reports on Woods.
Fastball (55): His fastball was 92-96 MPH out of the bullpen last year, but dipped to 90-92, maxing out at 94 this spring as a starter.
Slider (50+): A slurve that sat in the low 80s in the bullpen, and dropped to the upper 70s as a starter. It flashes sweep and depth, looking like a plus pitch when it’s on.
Changeup (45): The changeup is mid-80s and could use refinement, especially with a lack of separation from the lower starting velocity.
Control (45): He showed improved strike throwing in the Cape Cod League in 2022, which didn’t carry over to the 2023 season in the rotation.
Overall (40): Woods is an athletic lefty pitcher with the chance for above-average velocity, paired with an average or better slurve in the low 80s out of the bullpen. He would need an improved changeup or improved control to remain a starter. Without that, he has the stuff to be a lefty reliever in the majors.
