DENVER –– After seven years of waiting for his shot, Ryan Ward is on the verge of his first big-league opportunity.
The Dodgers are bringing Ward to Denver on Saturday and are expected to officially activate him later in this weekend’s series against the Colorado Rockies, sources confirmed, marking what will be a first career call-up to the majors for the 28-year-old outfielder.
While it wasn’t immediately clear what the corresponding roster move will be, the choreographed nature of Ward’s promotion –– he will be on the taxi squad Saturday, a source said –– could suggest a non-injury-related maneuver, such as another player going on the paternity list.
TheAthletic first reported the news of Ward’s call-upon Friday.
Ward was originally an eighth-round draft pick in 2019 who has slowly climbed up the Dodgers’ farm system. Last year, he was the Pacific Coast League MVP with triple-A Oklahoma City, hitting .290 with 36 home runs and 122 RBIs.
This season, he was batting .324 in his first 18 triple-A games, adding four more home runs and 14 RBIs to a distinguished minor-league resume.
Despite those gaudy numbers, Ward has had to wait –– and wait, and wait –– for a chance at the MLB level.
He was added to the club’s 40-man roster at the end of last season, but did not make the big-league team after a poor spring training performance.
Still, over seven career seasons in the minors, the left-handed hitter has a .266 average, 154 home runs, 139 doubles and 520 RBIs.
The Massachusetts native and Bryant University product has received rave reviews from Dodgers personnel about his growth in recent seasons, specifically with the way he has improved his plate discipline.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
