How Did LA Angels Prospects Finish Up In Arizona Fall League?

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Scottsdale Scorpions catcher Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels makes a diving slide into second base against the Surprise Saguaros. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Taylor Ward – Catcher – AVG. .283 no homers with nine RBI’s .321 OBP

Taylor Ward has said to be a can’t miss prospect when the Angels drafted him in the first round in June 2015 amateur draft. Ward has always been known for his defense and prides himself on it. He has a cannon for an arm throwing out 38% of would be base stealers in 2016 (48 for 77). Ward had an .994 fielding percentage in the 2016 season as well.

What has been the knock on Ward has been his hitting. For much of the 2016 season Ward was floundering around the .220 to .230 mark. However, over the last six weeks of the season Ward got hot hitting close to .400 pushing his average up to .249. Ward also finished with 10 homers and 56 runs batted in, with a .323 on-base percentage.

Ward continued his strong hitting during the Arizona Fall League hitting .320 through the first eight games which helped Ward to be chosen for the AFL All-Star Game. Ward finished the AFL season hitting .283 and driving in nine RBI’s.

You will see Ward in Spring Training and there is a slim chance that you may even see him in Anaheim during the September call-up period. If Ward continues to progress he could again be labelled the “Catcher of the Future”.