Angels News: Phil Nevin Thinks Taylor Ward Could Have an MVP-Caliber Season
Taylor Ward had a breakout season for the Angels in 2022. The 29-year-old hit career-highs with 23 home runs, 65 RBIs and 139 hits, slashing .281/.360/.473 on his way to being a finalist for the All-MLB Team. He had an OPS of .833 and an impressive OPS+ of 135, and was also a finalist for the Silver Slugger Award.
Ward doesn't think last year will be a fluke and wants to be MLB's best left fielder in 2023. And based on the way his manager, Phil Nevin, spoke about him, that goal may not be out of reach. Here's what Nevin had to say about Ward, per MLB.com.
"Obviously, Mike [Trout] and Shohei [Ohtani] have won MVPs and been a part of that talk, and Anthony [Rendon] has been in that mix before, too. But I wouldn’t be shocked if Taylor wasn’t another name that could be thrown in that sort of a category," Nevin said. "I’m not saying win it, but certainly be talked about."
Nevin expects Ward to hit in the leadoff spot, followed by those three guys in the lineup. It'll be his job to get on base to allow those former MVPs (and almost MVP in Rendon) to drive him in, and get the Angels some run production from the top of their lineup.
And since Ward will be hitting ahead of those guys, he should get a lot of opportunities to get good pitches to hit, as the last thing a pitcher will want to do is walk him and put a runner on with Trout, Ohtani and Rendon up. Ward should have a good chance to have another good season — it'll just be up to him to make it happen.
