PT TOMORROW: AL West—Late-blooming Ward with traction?
Apr 21 2022
To the surprise (and disbelief) of most observers, Mgr Joe Maddon announced prior to Opening Day that Taylor Ward (OF, LAA) would be his primary RF starter. And now despite a brief IL stint (groin) that delayed his Opening Day debut, Ward has been in the lineup for all five games since his return, with early results—5-for-15, 4 walks, a HR and SB—that are thus far validating Maddon's call.
A 2015 1st-round pick as a catcher, the athletic Ward moved on from this spot in the club's effort to unlock his bat, and his ascent has been delayed by positional changes and injuries. But Ward has also laid waste to high-minors pitching since 2018, posting a 1.027 OPS over 838 Triple-A PA. As a part-time MLBer last season, Ward...
Almost!
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