Taylor Ward


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

Career

Ward graduated from Shadow Hills High School, and played college baseball at Fresno State University. In 2014, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League. He was drafted by the Angels in the first round of the 2015 MLB draft.
Ward made his professional debut with the Orem Owlz and was later promoted to the Burlington Bees. He batted a combined.348 /.457/.438 with three home runs, 31 RBIs, and six stolen bases between the two teams in 201 at bats. He was named a Pioneer League Mid-Season All-Star.
He spent 2016 with the Inland Empire 66ers 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.
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. He was an MiLB.com Angels Organization All Star.
Prior to the 2018 season, he was converted from a catcher to a third baseman. He was called up to the majors for the first time on August 14, 2018, and made his MLB debut that day. 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.