University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Tony Walsh/UGAAA
Woods And Bulldogs Getting Ready For 2023 Season
January 31, 2023 | Baseball
By Hana Takamatsu, Georgia Sports Communications
ATHENS, Ga. --- In 17 days, number 17 for the Bulldogs will likely get the Opening Day start for the Georgia Bulldogs, and Jaden Woods will be ready.
"I'm really excited about this year," Woods said. "Probably the most I've been excited for a season so far."
The 6-2, 202-pound left-hander out of Warner Robins, spent the summer pitching in the prestigious Cape Cod League and trying out for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
"I was pitching against the best lineup probably in the nation, the best players in the nation," Woods said of his experiences this summer. "It was definitely a confidence booster and also just learning how they operate and adapting to that atmosphere."
For a Bulldog team that saw seven players sign professional contracts, they also gained a lot in nine freshmen and nine transfers. Georgia looks to make back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament in this the 10th season under the direction of Ike Cousins head coach Scott Stricklin.
"We all gelled together from day one, so I think that was a great thing," Woods said. "I think that everyone is for each other, everyone is cheering for each other, which I think that will take us a long way just as it is."
The Bulldogs will face another challenging schedule this year as eight Southeastern Conference teams are ranked in the Baseball America preseason top 25, and Georgia will play seven of them. Top-ranked LSU, No. 2 Tennessee and No. 11 Arkansas will visit Foley Field. Georgia got a taste of this intense SEC atmosphere in the off-season when the Bulldogs traveled to Jacksonville in October for an exhibition with the Gators who are preseason ranked No. 3.
"You just see guys with the big crowd, you see how they react for the first time, and you never really saw anyone that was rattled or anything like that so I think that was a huge plus from going down to Jacksonville," Woods said.
In his first two seasons, Woods has made 42 appearances including five starts. He is 5-2 with four saves and a 4.70 Earned Run Average. In 107.1 innings, he has 133 strikeouts and 57 walks.
"It's definitely, first and foremost, a mindset change," Woods said about becoming a starter. "Staying level-headed and staying neutral, I think that will be one of the main things that I have to change. I want to reach my fullest potential while also attempting to help others reach their full potential."
Woods is Georgia's highest ranked professional prospect, according to Baseball America. Recently, the publication released a list of the top 200 players in the country in consultation with Major League Baseball scouts, front office executives, scouting directors, college coaches and other professional evaluators. Woods checked in at No. 89 while teammate catcher Corey Collins was listed at No. 188.
Woods added that he is looking forward to seeing a packed house at Foley Field this season.
"To see [the stadium] filled with fans and everything like that going for the Bulldogs, I think that'll be really cool," Woods said.
Georgia resumed full squad workouts this past Friday. The 2023 season begins Feb. 17 with the Bulldogs opening against Jacksonville State. First pitch at Foley Field will be at 3 p.m.
ATHENS, Ga. --- In 17 days, number 17 for the Bulldogs will likely get the Opening Day start for the Georgia Bulldogs, and Jaden Woods will be ready.
"I'm really excited about this year," Woods said. "Probably the most I've been excited for a season so far."
The 6-2, 202-pound left-hander out of Warner Robins, spent the summer pitching in the prestigious Cape Cod League and trying out for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
"I was pitching against the best lineup probably in the nation, the best players in the nation," Woods said of his experiences this summer. "It was definitely a confidence booster and also just learning how they operate and adapting to that atmosphere."
For a Bulldog team that saw seven players sign professional contracts, they also gained a lot in nine freshmen and nine transfers. Georgia looks to make back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament in this the 10th season under the direction of Ike Cousins head coach Scott Stricklin.
"We all gelled together from day one, so I think that was a great thing," Woods said. "I think that everyone is for each other, everyone is cheering for each other, which I think that will take us a long way just as it is."
The Bulldogs will face another challenging schedule this year as eight Southeastern Conference teams are ranked in the Baseball America preseason top 25, and Georgia will play seven of them. Top-ranked LSU, No. 2 Tennessee and No. 11 Arkansas will visit Foley Field. Georgia got a taste of this intense SEC atmosphere in the off-season when the Bulldogs traveled to Jacksonville in October for an exhibition with the Gators who are preseason ranked No. 3.
"You just see guys with the big crowd, you see how they react for the first time, and you never really saw anyone that was rattled or anything like that so I think that was a huge plus from going down to Jacksonville," Woods said.
In his first two seasons, Woods has made 42 appearances including five starts. He is 5-2 with four saves and a 4.70 Earned Run Average. In 107.1 innings, he has 133 strikeouts and 57 walks.
"It's definitely, first and foremost, a mindset change," Woods said about becoming a starter. "Staying level-headed and staying neutral, I think that will be one of the main things that I have to change. I want to reach my fullest potential while also attempting to help others reach their full potential."
Woods is Georgia's highest ranked professional prospect, according to Baseball America. Recently, the publication released a list of the top 200 players in the country in consultation with Major League Baseball scouts, front office executives, scouting directors, college coaches and other professional evaluators. Woods checked in at No. 89 while teammate catcher Corey Collins was listed at No. 188.
Woods added that he is looking forward to seeing a packed house at Foley Field this season.
"To see [the stadium] filled with fans and everything like that going for the Bulldogs, I think that'll be really cool," Woods said.
Georgia resumed full squad workouts this past Friday. The 2023 season begins Feb. 17 with the Bulldogs opening against Jacksonville State. First pitch at Foley Field will be at 3 p.m.
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