Dodgers Prospect Ryan Ward Waits for Big League Breakthrough

Every player in Major League Baseball faces a defining moment when they transition from the minor leagues to the big leagues, showcasing the skills they’ve honed over years of hard work. For some, the ascent is swift, while for others, it can be a long road paved with patience and perseverance. Ryan Ward, a 28-year-old prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers, embodies this waiting game.

Drafted in the eighth round of the 2019 MLB Draft, Ward has spent the past three seasons with triple-A Oklahoma City, racking up a remarkable 402 games. Last year, he turned heads with an impressive stat line that boasted 36 home runs, 122 RBIs, and a .290/.380/.557 slash line, earning him the title of MVP in the Pacific Coast League. However, after a recent Cactus League game against the Athletics, the Dodgers opted to send Ward, along with left-hander Ronan Kopp, back to Oklahoma City, prolonging his wait for a major league debut.

Earlier in the offseason, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes expressed optimism about Ward’s prospects, stating he expected the outfielder to receive “a bunch of opportunities at some point this year” after being added to the 40-man roster. However, that sentiment shifted following the signing of outfielder Kyle Tucker to a lucrative four-year, $240 million contract in January. With established players like Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages, Michael Siani, Tommy Edman, Hyeseong Kim, and Kiké Hernández already filling out the roster, Ward faced an uphill battle as he entered spring training.

“Ward’s problem is that the Dodgers are so talented that it’s hard to find a spot for him,” noted MLB Pipeline prospect analyst Jim Callis. He added, “You could make the case that he could have helped them more than Michael Conforto did last year. They could use a second lefty-hitting outfielder right now with switch-hitting Tommy Edman out, but it feels like he’s about seventh on their overall outfield depth chart.”

During the Cactus League, Ward struggled to find his rhythm, hitting just five for 32, translating to a .156 batting average. His recent performance included a one-for-three outing with an RBI on Sunday, as he also took on additional responsibilities at first base, showcasing his versatility. “I’ve been learning new positions,” Ward shared. “I’ve been playing the corners. They’ve got me doing a little bit of first base stuff this year. So honestly, I think the versatility helps, you know? Just being able to play different positions at different times and feeling comfortable with it, and continuing to hit is really what I’m trying to do.”

Ward’s offensive prowess, particularly his power, has not gone unnoticed. Over the last three seasons in triple-A, he has hit a total of 91 home runs, marking him as one of the more intriguing prospects in the league. “Ryan Ward is one of the best old prospects in baseball,” Callis remarked. “He’s 28, but he has legit power and has hit 91 homers the last three seasons in triple A. He’s an all-bat guy, not much of an athlete or a defender, but the pop is real. He’s probably a platoon player more than a regular, but he’s a useful left-handed bat.”

Despite the challenges and frustrations that come with waiting, Ward is focusing on maintaining his composure and not letting the pressure overwhelm him. “It’s something that I’ve always said, which is ‘control what you can control,’” he explained. “Obviously, if thoughts creep into your head — it’s impossible for them not to — but really just trying to focus on the task at hand and the game later that night, and leave everything out, because if I start focusing on that, and start pressing or, like, getting angry or any of that stuff, my play is just going to go downhill. So, just trying to keep a clear head and focus on what I can do.”

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.