Taylor Ward hits big, only falling into rotation in standout performance for the Los Angeles Angels

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Taylor Ward came to beat in the seventh inning of the fourth having accumulated a home run, a triple and a doubles. The thought, says Ward, kicks in the cycle, seeping into his mind and driving him into a frenzy. It caused him to spin in an instant and sent a harmless balloon flying to the right court, ending his bid in just the ninth cycle in Angel of Los Angeles history after only one pitch.

“That’s something I’ve learned,” Ward said after the Angels’ 9-5 win first Cleveland Defenders. “I will live and learn through this moment.”

Ward, 28, has learned a lot while navigating the path of a former first-round draft player who is just starting to make his mark in the major leagues. His performance on Wednesday – a brace down the left touchline in the first game, a huge stormy strike to the center of the right in the second and a three-way header off the middle wall pitch in the sixth game – raised his bar down the road to .395/.531/.816 in his first 11 games of the season.

The Angels were so impressed with Ward during spring training that they assigned Justin Upton on duty five days before Opening Day, with $28 million remaining in the final year of his contract, to open more game time. A slight groin strain forced Ward to be on the injury list to start the season, but he has become one of the Angels’ most productive players since being activated, playing on the right pitch every day and stabilize the leading position in the typical lineup Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani.

“Honestly, that’s what I feel should have happened,” Ward said when asked what it means to produce at this level in the major leagues. “But now I’m here. And I’m lucky to be here. I just want to keep the blind and focus on this season.”

The Angels made Ward the 26th pick overall for the Fresno State in 2015. He became a catcher, went through ups and downs upon matriculating the Angels system, transferring to a third base. three years later, began to have short playing time. then and struggled with inconsistent game time in the major leagues, hitting .230/.305/.388 in 534 appearances between 2018 and 2021.

But the Angels started noticing signs of encouragement towards the end of last year’s minor season. He has leveled his hit line and removed some of the loft he picked up while trying to pitch, but mostly his mindset has changed.

“That was huge for him,” Trout said. “He’s in the middle, center right, he’ll do well here.”

Ward, Ohtani and Trout combined for an 8 for 12 win with six additional base shots from the top three of the lineup on Wednesday, a sign that Angels offense could be do when it clicks. According to STATS, Ward became the second player in the modern era of baseball to score a double, a triple and a Grand Slam while scoring four more runs in a single game, alongside Roger Maris , who did on August 3, 1958. With a single, he would become the first Angels player to hit the cycle feat since Ohtani on June 13, 2019.

“Watching him from the circle on the deck, he just has a vibe like he’s going to get a basic hit every time,” said Ohtani, who compiled three hits and also threw five innings of the running ball. twice, said through his interpreter. “I’m sure opposing pitchers are feeling the same way.”