The Los Angeles Dodgers called up prospect Ryan Ward prior to Saturday’s game against the Colorado Rockies. For the last four years, Ward played for the AAA Oklahoma City Comets. Despite being 28 years old, Ward displays excellent power. If he was in another organization, he would have been called up years earlier.
In four years of AAA play, Ward batted .264/.347/.511 with 94 home runs. He won the Pacific Coast League MVP award in 2025. It is worth noting that the PCL is an extremely offensive friendly league. However, he set the Oklahoma City Comets organization home run record by a decent margin with how much time he spent with the team.
MLB Pipeline ranks Ward as the 19th best prospect in the Dodgers system. Fangraphs ranks him 21st. He projects to mainly be a strong side platoon option at the Major League Level.
Ward Impressed the Dodgers in Spring Training
The Dodgers took notice of Ward in Spring Training this year.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commented on Ward’s development during Spring Training this season.
He said, “The thing I like about Ryan is he’s performed. We’ve asked him to do certain things, whether it’s positional versatility or cutting back on the strikeouts, hit for a little more power. He’s done all that.”
Roberts also acknowledged the difficulties Ward experiences by being blocked for so long from joining the 26-man roster.
“For him to not get a shot (yet), I’m sure he’s frustrated and understandably so. But the message for him is to keep putting up numbers and knock the door down and hopefully the opportunity comes for him.”
So far in 2026, Ward answered the call for change incredibly. He bats .324/.432/.588 with 4 home runs in 81 plate appearances from 18 games. He has the highest walk rate of his career as well, jumping from last year’s 12.7% to 14.8% this season.
The Dodgers drafted Ward in the 8th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. It took him four years to get to AAA in 2023 and has remained there ever since. However, the organization clearly has a plan for him as they added him to the 40 man roster this last offseason to prevent him from being a minor league free agent.
Ward’s Role on the Major League Roster Unclear
GettyA corresponding move to make room for Ward has yet to be made.
While a subsequent change to the roster has yet to be made, the expectation is that Miguel Rojas will be added to the bereavement list after his father sadly passed away recently on April 7th.
A couple other, albeit unlikely theories, currently exist. For one, an IL Stint for Teoscar Hernández after he hit a foul ball into his foot in Friday’s game. Secondly, the Dodgers may designate Santiago Espinal for assignment after his slow start to the season.
Regardless, Ward will probably fill in off the bench as another left-handed bat option to play at first base or the outfield when Freddie Freeman or Hernández need a day off or extended rest. Dodgers fans are excited to see what Ward can finally provide to the Major League roster.
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