Dodgers’ Ryan Ward Could Be Trade Deadline Wild Card Amid Crowded Outfield
Ryan Ward has done just about everything you can ask of a minor league hitter. Power?
Check. Plate discipline?
Improving. MVP honors?
Got that too. But as the Dodgers gear up for another title run, Ward’s biggest challenge isn’t what he’s doing in Triple-A - it’s the All-Stars in front of him.
The 27-year-old outfielder enters the 2026 season still waiting for his shot in the big leagues, despite back-to-back standout campaigns at Triple-A. And with the Dodgers adding Kyle Tucker to an already loaded outfield, Ward’s path to meaningful MLB playing time just got even narrower.
Ward’s Breakout 2025 Season
If you’re wondering what more Ward could’ve done last year, the answer might be: not much. In 143 games, he mashed 36 home runs and drove in 122 runs while slashing .290/.380/.557.
That’s not just solid - that’s dominant. He didn’t just hit for power, either.
Ward made a major leap in plate discipline, cutting his strikeout rate from 26.8% to 18.7% in a single season. That kind of jump speaks to real development, not just a hot streak.
His performance earned him Pacific Coast League MVP honors - a well-deserved nod for a player who’s clearly outgrown Triple-A pitching. But despite the accolades, Ward never got the call to the show.
Blocked at the Big League Level
Part of the reason? The Dodgers’ outfield depth chart was already crowded.
Michael Conforto held down left field for most of last season, but the veteran struggled mightily. His bat never got going, as he hit below the Mendoza Line over 138 games and posted a sub-.700 OPS - a first in his career.
With Conforto now gone in free agency, there was a brief window where it looked like Ward might finally get his shot. But the Dodgers didn’t wait long to fill that hole, bringing in All-Star Kyle Tucker to solidify the outfield. That move may have shut the door on Ward’s chances of earning an Opening Day starting job.
At best, Ward is now looking at a fourth outfielder role - a bench bat with pop who can spot start when needed. And while that might sound like a foot in the door, it’s a tough sell for a player in his prime who’s already proven he can produce.
The Dodgers, chasing their third straight World Series title, might value his depth. But other teams could offer something more: opportunity.
A Trade Candidate to Watch
There’s no shortage of clubs looking for affordable outfield help with upside, and Ward fits that mold. He’s shown he can hit, he’s improved his approach, and he’s ready for the next level. The Dodgers could look to move him at the trade deadline in exchange for pitching depth or other needs - especially if they believe his value is peaking.
Of course, the flip side is that keeping Ward around could be a sneaky-smart move for a team with championship aspirations. Injuries happen, slumps happen, and having a player like Ward ready to step in could be the kind of depth that makes a difference in October.
Right now, Ward finds himself in a familiar spot - on the outside looking in. But if his bat keeps doing what it did last year, it’s only a matter of time before someone gives him the chance he’s earned. Whether that’s in Los Angeles or elsewhere remains to be seen.