Position: LHP
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 205 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/L
Born: 02/01/2002
College: University of Georgia
How Acquired: Drafted 7th round, 197th Overall, 2023
Bonus: $271,300
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2026
Minor League Free Agency: 2028
Options Left: 3
Overview
Woods was mostly a reliever at Georgia in his first two seasons, then moved to the rotation as a junior. He missed the end of that season with biceps tendonitis. He threw 92-96 mph as a reliever, mostly 90-92 as a starter. He threw a plus breaking ball and a change that needed work. Like nearly all the pitchers taken by the Pirates in the 2023 draft, his command and control needed considerable improvement, and likely will limit him to relief long-term. Woods had high K rates in college, including 13.3 K/9 as a sophomore and 11.5 as a junior. His BB/9 was 5.5 and 4.7, respectively. Baseball America ranked him 152nd among draft prospects, MLB Pipeline 236th.
2023-24
Woods got into ten games in relief for Bradenton after being drafted. He had a 3.14 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, and fanned 21 in just 14.1 IP. He also walked only three, so his control was much better than what the Pirates usually see from their draftees early on.
In 2024, Woods went to Greensboro. He pitched very well through 20 relief appearances, posting a 2.13 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 11.0 K/9. The Pirates promoted him in mid-June and he found Altoona much tougher. He had a 4.93 ERA and 1.47 WHIP, some of it due to a 4.4 BB/9. Woods continued to miss bats, striking out 11.2 per nine innings. The trouble was mainly a bad month of August; he pitched well in July and in three September games.
Stats
Transactions
July 10, 2023: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 6th round, 167th overall pick; signed on July 18.