Nonetheless, even if it isn’t so visible to the average fan, the 20-round MLB draft is integral to building and sustaining success for any organization. The two-day, 2025 draft began Sunday night, and the Phillies selected righthanded pitcher Gage Wood from the University of Arkansas in the first round with the 26th overall pick.

Cortese, a 6-foot-6, 240-pound right-hander, appeared in 14 games for Lander as a senior in 2025, striking out 30 in 16.2 innings to go along with with 14 walks and nine earned runs allowed.

For the first time since 2019, before Brian Barber took over as amateur scouting director, the Phillies used their first-round draft pick on a college player, taking right-hander Gage Wood from the University of Arkansas with the 26th overall selection Sunday night.