Ward enjoying hot start to 2024
BOSTON » Taylor Ward's 2023 season started and ended badly, which is why he's particularly encouraged by the way he's emerged out of the blocks in 2024.
“I have thought more about getting off to a good start because of what happened in the first two or three months last year,” Ward said. “I was way out of whack mechanically. But now I think things are flowing a lot better, just trying to do my thing all year.”
After hitting a two-run homer and a single on Saturday, Ward is hitting .310 with five homers and a .936 OPS through his first 14 games.
The Angels have had high expectations for Ward ever since his breakthrough in 2022, when he had an OPS of 1.194 before he suffered a shoulder injury that sapped his strength for the rest of the season.
Ward was healthy again last year, but he still started slowly, with a .607 OPS over his first 51 games. He just started to find himself again a few weeks before he was hit in the face by a pitch in late July, suffering multiple facial fractures and ending his season.
Now, the 30-year-old outfielder seems to be picking up where he left off, with no signs of any issues with a slightly increased percentage of pitches up and in.
“A lot of curveballs that end up being strikes,” Ward said. “I think being on time and getting out of the way, knowing the protection is there, is helping me mentally. Just getting back to my approach as quickly as possible.”
He's been particularly effective with runners on base. Ward is 6 for 13 with runners in scoring position, helping him to a team-leading 16 RBIs.
“Honestly, I try to do the same thing,” Ward said. “I honestly don't notice them unless they're on third base with less than two outs.”
Ward has made manager Ron Washington look good for the decision to put him in the cleanup spot.
“I was always impressed with him,” Washington said. “He always gives you a good at-bat. The thing I like most about him now is his work ethic. You guys don't get a chance to see it behind the scenes, but he's an animal with his workouts. HIs preparation is impeccable. It really is. I didn't know that.”
Strong defense
The contrast in defense between the Angels and Boston Red Sox was clear as day during Friday's series opener. The Red Sox botched two double-play balls in the first inning, while the Angels successfully converted double plays in the first and second innings. The Angels took advantage of the Red Sox mistakes, and the Angels' defense helped left-hander Reid Detmers get through the early innings, before he slipped into a groove.
The Angels rank fifth in the majors in Outs Above
Average and seventh in Defensive Runs Saved.
“I love watching the defense play,” Washington said. “They worked hard in the spring. Fruits of it are starting to show up out there. They've played tremendous defense and we've got to do that every night.”
Also
Infielder Brandon Drury, who was one of the Angels most consistent hitters in 2023, has started the season hitting .170 with a .441 OPS. He has just one extra base hit. “It's getting better,” Washington said. “He's starting to center balls a lot more now. Now it's just a matter of finding some holes. I think he will start finding some holes.” …
Third baseman Anthony Rendon is 10 for 28 (.357) after starting the season in an 0-for-21 slump. …
Left-hander Tyler Anderson needs to start with three scoreless innings Sunday to break the Angels record for most consecutive scoreless innings by a starting pitcher to begin a season. Anderson has not allowed a run in 14 innings. Nolan Ryan didn't allow a run in his first 16 innings in 1978.