Anyone concerned about Ward?

[Dtwncbad]

Yes, small sample but it's the only sample we have.

Tell the truth.  Are you optimistic or concerned?

And is it finally OK to say Kaleb Cowart sucks, and officially accept he will be lucky to be a journeyman utility guy (that can't hit)?

[HaloNArizona]

Not worried at all...

He started the year in AA....moved up the big club, all while learning a new position.

Alot of players struggle during the first taste of big league play.  We need to see how he reacts and what adjustments he makes.

[HaloNArizona]

I'd also imagine some fatigue is setting in.  Last year he played in 87 games and the year before 123.  He is at 115 games thus far.

[JuanjoRios]

He should do just fine! He probably will be our third base for the years to come and I'm perfectly okay with that

[GrittyVeterans]

Not at all. You don’t judge a player off less than 250-300 at bats. He looks athletic and talented. I think it will come in time

 

doesn't mean you don’t pursue upgrades at 3B this offseason

[totdprods]

Not at all. I do think he should start next season in AAA, hopefully getting some occasional reps at 1B, LF, maybe even 2B. A little more seasoning at AAA won't hurt, especially if he's adding at least emergency versatility. I don't like the idea of locking him into only one position this early in his career, but it would've been too much to ask him to learn multiple new positions this year. 

[Angelsjunky]

Not at all worried. But it also depends upon your expectations. I think it was Chuck who compared him to Josh Donaldson, who has been one of the half a dozen or so best players of the Trout Era. Now to be fair to @Chuckster70, maybe he was deliberately wishful thinking, but it obviously isn't a fair comparison. It is like expecting Michael Hermosillo to Grady Sizemore because they have a similar type of tools package.

The extremes are Brandon Wood (or Kaleb Cowart, presumably) on one end and Josh Donaldson on the end. In other words, there is a tiny chance that Ward does, indeed, become Donaldson, and a small (but larger) chance he's Wood or Cowart.

Here's how I see the different possible outcomes for peak-Ward:

5% (Worst-case scenario): Wood or Cowart, negative-WAR player. A complete dud.

35% (Low-end reasonable projection): marginal regular, good platoon player; maybe .250/.320/.400, 1-2 WAR/year.

45% (Moderate reasonable projection): quality to above average regular; .270/.350/.430, 2-4 WAR.

15% (High-end reasonable projection): impact player/borderline star; .280/.370/.480, 4-5 WAR.

<1% (Best of all possible worlds): Josh Donaldson, .290+/.900+, 6+ WAR

These are obviously just wild speculations, but expresses the basic idea. I will be at least mildly disappointed in 40% of the possible outcomes, happy in 45%, ecstatic in 15%.

[Chuck]

Just now, Angelsjunky said:

Not at all worried. But it also depends upon your expectations. I think it was Chuck who compared him to Josh Donaldson, who has been one of the half a dozen or so best players of the Trout Era. Now to be fair to @Chuckster70, maybe he was deliberately wishful thinking, but it obviously isn't a fair comparison. It is like expecting Michael Hermosillo to Grady Sizemore because they have a similar type of tools package.

The extremes are Brandon Wood (or Kaleb Cowart, presumably) on one end and Josh Donaldson on the end. In other words, there is a tiny chance that Ward does, indeed, become Donaldson, and a small (but larger) chance he's Wood or Cowart.

Here's how I see the different possible outcomes for peak-Ward:

5% (Worst-case scenario): Wood or Cowart, negative-WAR player. A complete dud.

35% (Low-end reasonable projection): marginal regular, good platoon player; maybe .250/.320/.400, 1-2 WAR/year.

45% (Moderate reasonable projection): quality to above average regular; .270/.350/.430, 2-4 WAR.

15% (High-end reasonable projection): impact player/borderline star; .280/.370/.480, 4-5 WAR.

<1% (Best of all possible worlds): Josh Donaldson, .290+/.900+, 6+ WAR

These are obviously just wild speculations, but expresses the basic idea. I will be at least mildly disappointed in 40% of the possible outcomes, happy in 45%, ecstatic in 15%.

I was comping their minor league trajectories and the fact that they were both top round picks and switched from C to 3B. 

Easy now. 

[Angel Oracle]

11 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

I was comping their minor league trajectories and the fact that they were both top round picks and switched from C to 3B. 

Easy now. 

And both didn’t get to the majors until their mid 20s.

[Troll Daddy]

There should be some concern which is normal. Tyler Ward is getting a hard look right now and it would bode well for him to put up some descent numbers this coming month. 

[Lou]

11 minutes ago, Troll Daddy said:

There should be some concern which is normal. Tyler Ward is getting a hard look right now and it would bode well for him to put up some descent numbers this coming month. 

that's going to be hard to do 

[Lou]

I'm not optimistic about any of our prospects.

[Troll Daddy]

6 minutes ago, Lou said:

that's going to be hard to do 

Not lately 

[red321]

19 minutes ago, Troll Daddy said:

There should be some concern which is normal. Tyler Ward is getting a hard look right now and it would bode well for him to put up some descent numbers this coming month. 

 

7 minutes ago, Lou said:

that's going to be hard to do 

I disagree...his numbers have been descending quite impressively...or is crashing like a Russian satellite a more apt description?

[Taylor]

35 minutes ago, Troll Daddy said:

There should be some concern which is normal. Tyler Ward is getting a hard look right now and it would bode well for him to put up some descent numbers this coming month. 

People named Taylor don't like being called "Tyler."

[m0nkey]

2 minutes ago, Taylor said:

People named Taylor don't like being called "Tyler."

Link? 

[Taylor]

9 minutes ago, m0nkey said:

Link? 

 

[Troll Daddy]

17 minutes ago, Taylor said:

People named Taylor don't like being called "Tyler."

My apologies ... isn’t Taylor a girls name

[Angelsjunky]

7 minutes ago, Taylor said:

 

Tell it to my heart, tell me I'm the only one, is this really love or just a game.

[Angelsjunky]

Back to the topic, let us not forget that at the start of the year Ward was drifting into fringe prospect territory. He and Fletcher were both considered future role players - bench/platoon guys. Both had great years in the high minors and now people may be expecting more than they should. I think the main difference is that where before the season they projected as good bench players, now they project as quality regulars. 

[Taylor]

5 minutes ago, Troll Daddy said:

My apologies ... isn’t Taylor a girls name

Sometimes.

[Docwaukee]

11 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

Back to the topic, let us not forget that at the start of the year Ward was drifting into fringe prospect territory. He and Fletcher were both considered future role players - bench/platoon guys. Both had great years in the high minors and now people may be expecting more than they should. I think the main difference is that where before the season they projected as good bench players, now they project as quality regulars. 

yep.  

I'm not concerned about Ward.  I just think there's a strong chance he's not going to end up being very good.  Am I rubbing my horseshoe with a rabbit's foot?  sure.  

but welcome to baseball Taylor.  

He'll either adjust or he won't.  He's well within the normal spectrum of outcomes for a guy getting his first taste.  

Honestly, if he works out, it's a huge bonus.  He was written off to start the year.  

[UndertheHalo]

I’m not really concerned about what we’ve seen from Taylor Ward so far.  But generally I’m concerned about the Angels getting production out of 3B in the next 2-3 years.  It’s an ongoing problem.  I’ve never been overly optimistic about Taylor Ward anyway.  I’m hoping for the best; but not expecting a whole lot.  At least he gives us something to keep an eye on down the stretch.  Same goes for Fletcher.  Tho, I’m a little more hopeful that he may prove to be an adequate everyday player. 

Edited August 30, 2018 by UndertheHalo

[Blarg]

I'm optimistic that Cozart will be ready to play next season.

[Tank]

1 hour ago, Taylor said:

People named Taylor don't like being called "Tyler."

"Why don't the Angels just Tank for the rest of the season?"

i feel you, bro.