Taylor Ward

[Docwaukee]

I think you're right, Ward was about as safe of a pick as there comes.  Worst case scenario, he's a plus defensive catcher that profiles as a backup in the majors.  Basically, a better version of Jeff Mathis.  Best case scenario, he basically turns into Buster Posey or Joe Mauer, a good defensive catcher with power and patience.  Most likely scenario, he's a good defensive catcher and does just enough right in the batters box to be a platoon player at catcher. 

 

Personally, I think Ward profiles a lot like Jett Bandy.  

It would be hard for me to believe that there wouldn't be more upside with someone that the halos took in the first round after scouting like crazy, but that was a consensus pick for the first two rounds.  

 

To me, his floor is that of a platoon catcher whereas I think that's Bandy's possible not probable.  

[Docwaukee]

Ward was rated the best catcher from Milan to Minsk

It's about f'n time.  I posted that 5 days ago.  you're slipping.  

[Lou]

It's about f'n time.  I posted that 5 days ago.  you're slipping.

i'm on the 60 Day DL

but i'll come back in the best shape of my life

[SoWhat]

They scouted Ward heavily for over a year. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't take him with their first pick if they thought he was another Jett Bandy or Jeff Mathis.

[Second Base]

It would be hard for me to believe that there wouldn't be more upside with someone that the halos took in the first round after scouting like crazy, but that was a consensus pick for the first two rounds.  

 

To me, his floor is that of a platoon catcher whereas I think that's Bandy's possible not probable.  

 

Bandy's a super-athletic catcher, slightly better defensively than Carlos Perez, who is already a very solid MLB defender.  He has good pop for a catcher, and does just enough in terms of batting average and OBP to be that platoon catcher the Angels like to use.  

 

Ward from the sound of it is even better than Bandy, who is already good and has similar offensive skill sets with probably a bit better power/BA/OBP.  

 

Basically, the way I'm viewing Ward is that he's a better but similar version of Jett Bandy.  Ward will catch 120 games a year for the Angels, run into a pitch here and there but mostly be known for completely shutting down the opposition's run game.  That carries a ton of value. 

[Angel Oracle]

That would allow them to package one catcher (either Perez or Bandy) down the road (2-3 years) in a trade.

[Inside Pitch]

I'm really starting to hate the shitty catcher.   He went 1 for 2 today, with three walks.

[Tyler]

Move him up.

[Docwaukee]

since going 0 for his first 8, he's 14/23 with 7 walks and no strikeouts.  

 

I don't like to get too excited about college picks until they reach AA, but it's clear this guy has a pretty good idea on how to take an at bat.  

[Inside Pitch]

since going 0 for his first 8, he's 14/23 with 7 walks and no strikeouts.  

 

I don't like to get too excited about college picks until they reach AA, but it's clear this guy has a pretty good idea on how to take an at bat.  

 

I really hope they move him up to the Midwest League at some point this year.   Im guessing he's taking advantage of less experienced competition, but at the same time it IS nice to see him have a clue.

[Chuck]

Bandy is slipping. Dude is hitting .260 in a ballpark and league he should be hitting near or well over .300. 

 

Overhyped, trade him! 

[tdawg87]

Bandy isn't an offensive first catcher. He was never going to hit .300 at any level. Most catchers don't.

[Second Base]

We knew Bandy right from the get-go. He drew comparisons to Jeff Mathis in his athleticism and defense, and he's been all that and more. He's an elite defensive catcher. Anything you get in the batters box is just icing. He just so happens to have decent raw power and plate discipline. They haven't come out in AAA but they're there.

Ward, conflicting reports. Yeah, everyone universally agrees that like Bandy, he's going to be (I think he already is) an elite defender. But there's general disagreement on the bat. Some say there's power and discipline, others call into question both.

Ward looks amazing in the Pioneer League right now. He SHOULD look amazing in that environment though. The true test will come once he reaches AA, just as it is with almost all collegiate hitters. That level separates the prospects from pretenders.

I'm optimistic about Ward. Just from what ice seen and read, he looks like he can become an everyday catcher. I Wong say he's a future superstar because that isn't fair to him. But drawing comparisons to Bandy and Iannetta are reasonable. I think he'll be a better offensive version of Bandy and a better defensive version of Iannetta.

[Docwaukee]

3-4 tonight with a hr.  dude needs to be challenged. 

[Angel Oracle]

Time to send Ward up to Burlington

[Second Base]

3-4 tonight with a hr.  dude needs to be challenged. 

 

Agree entirely.  I feel like the organization as a whole is far too conservative when it comes to challenging prospects.  There are exceptions, like with Trout and Calhoun, but for the most part, the Angels play it very slowly compared to others, like the Rangers, Astros, Cards, Cubs....  That got a little better under Servais, but they still simply aren't aggressive at all. 

 

Guys like Ward, should be in A/A+ Ball to finish this season and in AA next year, that's it.  Starting early round collegiate players in Rookie Ball then moving them to A Ball the next year is foolish. 

[Angel Oracle]

Agree entirely.  I feel like the organization as a whole is far too conservative when it comes to challenging prospects.  There are exceptions, like with Trout and Calhoun, but for the most part, the Angels play it very slowly compared to others, like the Rangers, Astros, Cards, Cubs....  That got a little better under Servais, but they still simply aren't aggressive at all. 

 

Guys like Ward, should be in A/A+ Ball to finish this season and in AA next year, that's it.  Starting early round collegiate players in Rookie Ball then moving them to A Ball the next year is foolish. 

More Scioscia goodness, trying to be anal retentive with all of his catchers?

[SoWhat]

.368 /.506/.500, 2 HR, 20 BB, 7 K, 3 SB, 29% CS

[bloodbrother]

Clearly too advanced for rookie ball, which he should be since he played college ball. I'd say skip Low-A and send him straight to High-A to finish out the season

[ettin]

.368 /.506/.500, 2 HR, 20 BB, 7 K, 3 SB, 29% CS

 

I had just seen the Orem Owlz tweeting out about a defensive play he made and I thought let me check his stats! When I saw that walk strike ratio I said let me go post this to the Ward thread! Then I realized I was just too slow!

[Angel Oracle]

Okay Halos, it's time to get him up to Burlington.   Then he can start 2016 in high-A ball, with a target date for MLB of around September 2017. 

[John Smith]

MLB mid-season Top 30 Rankings out today. Ward is at #8

 

http://m.mlb.com/pro...s/2015?list=ana

[Angelsjunky]

I love that 26:7 bb:K rate. That bodes well.

[Second Base]

MLB mid-season Top 30 Rankings out today. Ward is at #8

 

http://m.mlb.com/pro...s/2015?list=ana

 

I find it pretty difficult to justify ranking Alcantara and Gatto over him.  Even Nate Smith might be a bit of a reach.  Yeah, most think he profiles to be a good backup, but the Angels certainly feel like they know or are seeing something others aren't.  Their track record for this sort of thing under Ric Wilson is pretty good too.

 

I'm not on the bandwagon yet, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he ended up being a very good starting catcher someday. 

[TheHeathen]

HR tonight in the rookie league all star game.