Taylor Ward: Angels calling up Taylor Ward

[krAbs]

 

[Dtwncbad]

Nice.  Let's get a look.

I have never been a believer in this one. . .let's hope I am wrong.  I want to be wrong!

[mulwin444]

He's done all a guy can do in the minor leagues to this point offensively.  

[Make Angels Great Again]

Finally. Let's see what he's got, and maybe we have our third baseman.

[krAbs]

MLB has him as our #8 prospect. Their writeup:

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 40 | Arm: 65 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Ward, the surprise first-round pick of the 2015 Draft, partially wiped away a relatively disappointing first full season in 2016 by using his on-base and defensive skills to work his way to Double-A in 2017. He was sent home early from an Arizona Fall League assignment last fall with a shoulder impingement. Health, and a move to third base, has allowed Ward's bat to really take off in 2018.

Ward has always had excellent plate discipline with a very advanced approach at the plate, drawing a ton of walks and limiting his strikeouts. He's largely used a contact-first, line-drive approach to his hitting and rarely chases, but he's started to drive the ball, both for extra bases and over the fence, in 2018. Ward's strong arm, which allowed him to throw out just over 34 percent of potential basestealers from behind the plate, is an asset at the hot corner.

Ward should be ready to help out in the near future. His uptick in offensive production, combined with his on-base ability, has made him look more like a future everyday third baseman.

 

edit: note, if that power is real, his prospect grades suddenly look a lot better; a 50 hit, power, and field with a 65 arm isn't half bad.

[m0nkey]

Nice, congrats to him.

 

Thanks Jerry!

[Angelsfirst]

In before “Taylor Ward is not part of our future.”

[Memories of 02]

13 minutes ago, krAbs said:

 

Great move, Billy

[mulwin444]

With the promotion, as exciting as is it to get new blood up here, I hope he's allowed to start.  Between he, Cowart, JMF, and Fletcher, that's a lot of people vying for potential 3B starts.

[Hubs]

1 minute ago, mulwin444 said:

With the promotion, as exciting as is it to get new blood up here, I hope he's allowed to start.  Between he, Cowart, JMF, and Fletcher, that's a lot of people vying for potential 3B starts.

Fletcher is starting pretty much every game at 2nd, can also play SS and 3rd. Cowart can play all 4 infield positions and JMF can play three.

All are versatile, and one of them may be sent down, though my odds on is that Marte is DFA'd.

[Dtwncbad]

Just now, mulwin444 said:

With the promotion, as exciting as is it to get new blood up here, I hope he's allowed to start.  Between he, Cowart, JMF, and Fletcher, that's a lot of people vying for potential 3B starts.

I think you have to start Ward at 3B and Fletcher at 2B.

I thinl Cowart's time with the Angels is probably over.

[mulwin444]

Just now, Dtwncbad said:

I think you have to start Ward at 3B and Fletcher at 2B.

I thinl Cowart's time with the Angels is probably over.

Yeah, you'd think so...we'll see.  Ward's only position is 3B so it would make sense that Fletcher would play either 2B or SS (if Simba is still a scratch).

[floplag]

I must admit im a bit surprised, albeit pleasantly.  If hes anything other than the starting 3B its pointless though.

[mulwin444]

(Says a small prayer/sacrifices a chicken that Ward is no Wood/Cowart clone)

[fanfromday1]

Now when Scioscia  puts our catcher (Arcia) in to pitch he now can move our 3rd baseman (Ward) to catcher. A typical Scioscia "Double-switch'.

[totdprods]

Super happy @taylorblakeward got to break the news. It should've never been anyone else. 

Congrats to you both.

[ten ocho recon scout]

Nice. First thing to be excited about in awhile. No idea how he'll turn out, but at least there is some fun in seeing a possible new guy who can make a difference.

If he sucks, not like were missing valbuena or cowart's thundersticks.

[eligrba]

13 minutes ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

Nice. First thing to be excited about in awhile. No idea how he'll turn out, but at least there is some fun in seeing a possible new guy who can make a difference.

If he sucks, not like were missing valbuena or cowart's thundersticks.

It would be nice for Ward to do well.  This season could use some positives.

[Stradling]

My guess is Marte is gone. 

[Troll Daddy]

Enough of Marte ... good-bye

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

8 minutes ago, Stradling said:

My guess is Marte is gone. 

I was just wondering the same thing. Marte makes sense. Some one has to go since Ward wasn't on the 40 man roster. Marte is out of options so good bye Marte.

[Angel Oracle]

1 hour ago, Dtwncbad said:

I think you have to start Ward at 3B and Fletcher at 2B.

I thinl Cowart's time with the Angels is probably over.

Substitute Marte for Cowart, and it's a +1.

[jsnpritchett]

They could dump Nolan Fontana from the 40-man.  Don't think anyone would miss him.

[rafibomb]

26 minutes ago, Stradling said:

My guess is Marte is gone. 

 

[UndertheHalo]