When the Philadelphia Phillies drafted Gage Wood out of Arkansas with their first round pick in this year's MLB Draft, they deviated from recent selection strategies of taking high-ceiling high school prospects.
Given his age and experience, there was talk after the draft that the organization could try to fast-track Wood to the Major Leagues, but that notion was later tempered after he was officially signed by the club.
However, it was announced on Friday afternoon that Wood would make his highly anticipated professional debut on Friday night with the Single-A Clearwater Threshers at BayCare Ballpark, but weather pushed his initial start back a day and Saturday night would be his first professional outing.