Angels Select Contract of Former BayBear Taylor Ward
August 14, 2018 - Southern League (SL1)
Mobile BayBears News Release
Third baseman Taylor Ward with the Mobile BayBears
(Mobile BayBears)
BILOXI, MISS. - The Los Angeles Angels announced Tuesday that they have selected the contract of former Mobile BayBears third baseman Taylor Ward from Triple-A Salt Lake. Ward is scheduled to bat seventh and play third base in his Major League debut Tuesday night at Petco Park against the San Diego Padres.
Ward, 24, played in 75 games for the BayBears over the past two seasons. Last year, he finished the season by posting a .286 batting average with three home runs, 19 RBIs, and 22 walks in 33 games as a catcher with Mobile. Ward transitioned to third base this offseason and started 2018 by slashing .345/.453/.520 with six home runs, 25 RBIs, and 29 walks over 42 games. He was a Southern League Mid-Season All-Star, ranking third in batting average and second in on-base percentage at the time of his promotion on June 2.
Ward's success at the plate continued in 60 games with Salt Lake. He slashed .352/.442/.537 with eight home runs, 35 RBIs, 18 doubles, and 42 runs scored. In 368 career Minor League games, Ward has a .293 average with 36 home runs, 196 RBIs, and 209 walks.
Ward was selected by the Angels in the first round (No. 26 overall) of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Fresno State. He was named a MiLB.com Angels Organization All-Star in 2016 and 2017. Ward is currently the No. 8 prospect in the Angels organization, according to MLB Pipeline.
Ward is set to become the 10th member of the 2017 BayBears squad to appear with the Angels this season. Infielder David Fletcher, outfielder Michael Hermosillo, catchers Jose Briceno and Francisco Arcia (2017-18), and right-handed pitchers Parker Bridwell, Eduardo Paredes, Jaime Barria, Justin Anderson (2017-18), Jake Jewell (2017-18) have all spent time with the Angels in 2018. Former BayBears pitcher Osmer Morales also joined the Angels this week, and he will have a chance to make his MLB debut on the current nine-game road trip.
The BayBears begin a six-game road series against the Biloxi Shuckers with a doubleheader Tuesday beginning at 5:35 p.m. CDT. Live coverage can be seen on MiLB.tv (Biloxi feed, subscription required, promo code: BAYBEARS) and heard on the BayBears Broadcast Network, the TuneIn Radio App, and the MiLB First Pitch App, with the Countdown to First Pitch starting at 5:15 p.m.
The BayBears return home Sunday and host a total of 70 home dates through Labor Day, September 3. Single-game tickets and ticket packages are currently on sale. Season tickets and group and hospitality offerings for the 2018 season can be reserved by calling (251) 479-BEAR (2327).
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 Third baseman Taylor Ward with the Mobile BayBears |
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