Los Angeles Dodgers fans, keep your eyes on Ryan Ward this spring training. The top prospect is making waves after a standout year in Triple-A with the Oklahoma City Comets, where he led the Pacific Coast League in home runs, RBIs, and total bases. His performance earned him the league's Most Valuable Player award and a spot on the Dodgers' 40-man roster.
As Ward approaches his 28th birthday, he's no stranger to the organization, having spent seven years honing his skills. However, with his contract nearing its end, Ward faced some uncertainty about his future. That all changed with one pivotal phone call, confirming his place in the Dodgers' plans.
Ward expressed his excitement to MLB.com's Sonja Chen, saying, "It was starting to get real, like, is it gonna be staying here or going to free agency? So when they called me, and being able to stay here and be with this organization and all the people here, it was really exciting.”
What makes Ward such a compelling prospect? His experience and power at the plate initially positioned him as a potential replacement for Michael Conforto.
However, with Kyle Tucker's signing, Ward's role shifted. Now, he stands ready to step in if Tucker, Andy Pages, or Teoscar Hernandez are sidelined, underscoring his value to the Dodgers.
Ward's mindset is laser-focused as he eyes his MLB debut. He told Doug McKain, "To me it’s like, ‘Okay, you’re going to get your opportunity, you better be ready.’ So [I’m] really taking advantage of all this time and getting myself into the best spot possible to earn that opportunity.”
Despite the accolades and fanfare, Ward remains grounded. His approach is all about controlling what he can and staying present.
"I love the sport, I appreciate it more than anything," he shared. "But I’m trying to control what I can control … keep your feet where they are, focus on what’s at hand.”
Ward's journey to the majors is one to watch, as he looks to translate his Triple-A success into a lasting impact with the Dodgers.