Taylor Ward

Joseph Taylor Ward (born December 14, 1993) is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). Ward was drafted by the Angels in the first round of the 2015 MLB draft, 26th overall. He made his MLB debut in 2018.

Taylor Ward
Ward with the Anchorage Bucs in 2013
Los Angeles Angels – No. 3
Third baseman
Born: (1993-12-14) December 14, 1993
Dayton, Ohio
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 14, 2018, for the Los Angeles Angels
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Batting average.214
Home runs7
Runs batted in22
Teams

Career

Ward graduated from Shadow Hills High School, and played college baseball at Fresno State University.[1] In 2014, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[2] He was drafted by the Angels in the first round of the 2015 MLB draft.[3][4]

Ward made his professional debut with the Orem Owlz and was later promoted to the Burlington Bees.[5] He batted a combined .348 (2nd among Angels minor leaguers)/.457/.438 with three home runs, 31 RBIs, and six stolen bases between the two teams in 201 at bats.[6][7] He was named a Pioneer League Mid-Season All-Star.[7]

He spent 2016 with the Inland Empire 66ers[8] where he batted .249 with ten home runs and 56 RBIs. He was an Arizona Fall League 2016 Rising Star, and an MiLB.com Angels Organization All Star.[9]

In 2017, Ward split time between the 66ers and the Mobile BayBears, batting a combined .258/.368/.390 with nine home runs and 49 RBIs in 87 games between both clubs.[10] He was an MiLB.com Angels Organization All Star.[9]

Prior to the 2018 season, he was converted from a catcher to a third baseman.[11] He was called up to the majors for the first time on August 14, 2018, and made his MLB debut that day.[12][13] He finished the season hitting .178/.245/.333 for the Angels in 135 at bats over 40 games with 6 home runs and 15 RBIs. In the minor leagues, between Mobile and the AAA Salt Lake Bees, he batted .349/.446/.531 in 375 at bats with 14 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases in 21 attempts, and was a Southern League mid-season All Star, and an MiLB.com Angels Organization All Star.[6][9]

In 2020, he hit .277 in 34 games for the Angels.

References
  1. "Ex-Knight Taylor Ward tabbed by USA baseball team".
  2. "Taylor Ward - Profile". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  3. "Former Knight Taylor Ward selected by Angels".
  4. "Catcher Taylor Ward of Fresno State drafted by Angels in first round".
  5. "Taylor Ward embracing LA Angels' spring training grind".
  6. Taylor Ward Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History | Baseball-Reference.com
  7. Taylor Ward Stats, Fantasy & News | MLB.com
  8. GLASER, KYLE. "Top catching prospect Taylor Ward 'on his way,' says 66ers manager Chad Tracy".
  9. Taylor Ward Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball
  10. "Taylor Ward Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  11. https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-taylor-ward-20180809-story.html
  12. https://www.ocregister.com/2018/08/13/prospect-taylor-ward-set-for-major-league-debut-with-angels/
  13. Angels' Taylor Ward goes 2-for-3 in stellar Major League debut
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