Angels News: Taylor Ward Opens Up About Losing Spot to Mickey Moniak
The struggles have been real for Taylor Ward during these first two months of the 2023 MLB season. They've been a topic of discussion so much that after every single one of his four home runs this year, reporters would ask him if he finally figured out what was wrong with his swing.
And unfortunately, it doesn't look like he has just yet. Through 50 games with the Halos thus far, Ward's numbers remain down with a .224/.296/.317 slash line and an OPS of .613. He was set to have a big role with the Angels this season but not just at the plate, but in the outfield alongside Mike Trout.
Well the recent call-up and success of former number one pick Mickey Moniak has changed all of that. The 25-year-old has had an electric start with the squad ever since joining the major league roster a couple of weeks ago and has received the majority of starts over Ward since then.
The stats don't lie... team manager Phil Nevin has to roll with the guy that is hitting .361 and has an OPS of 1.184 and has the same number of homers as Ward in just 11 games.
Time and time again, I've talked about how Moniak has provided some new life in this Angels' organization. He had his first huge slip-up in LA's Saturday loss to the Marlins but other than that, he's been flawless thus far.
And Ward has still been given some chances to showcase what he could do but Nevin was honest about favoring Moniak right now.
“It’s not easy,” said Nevin. “I feel like he’s gotten some at-bats the last few days, and saw some things that look good. Quite frankly, we’ve seen some things where (we ask) is he quite where he’s been. The way Mickey’s swinging the bat, I’ve got to keep playing him.”(Via The Athletic)
Ward also opened up about how he's been trying to overcome his slump and the negative effects it's taken on him.
“I don’t know,” said Ward. “I feel like I’m doing almost everything right. Swinging at good pitches. I don’t know. I’m just a tick late. … Overall, just things aren’t going my way ever so slightly. At the end of the day, it’s going to come down to me. If I go out there and do what I’m capable of doing, it doesn’t matter what anybody else does."
(Via The Athletic)
We believe that Ward will be able to find himself soon!
