Angels' Taylor Ward on Impressive Run To Open Season

The Los Angeles Angels have had high expectations for Taylor Ward since he broke through in 2022, however, he is looking to move past the bookends of 2023 and is taking this season by storm.

Last season started and ended badly for the 30-year-old outfielder. After launching two home runs and driving in six runs against Boston over the weekend, Ward is batting .306 with a .909 OPS through the first 15 games.

“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.”

He leads the team with 19 hits and 17 RBIs through Monday, which makes manager Ron Washington look smart for installing him in the clean-up 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.”

Ward's journey back to .300 has taken some unexpected detours along the way. He suffered a shoulder injury that sapped his strength for the rest of the 2022 season and just when he started to feel like himself again in 2023, he was hit by a pitch in the face in late July. He had multiple facial fractures and was out for the rest of the season.

The only sign of struggle has been on pitches up and in — of which he has been seeing more.

“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.”

Ward appears to have gotten back to his approach based on his numbers and looks to continue swinging a hot bat against the Tampa Bay Rays for a four-game set starting Monday.