Why Taylor Ward Could Be Key to an Angels Playoff Run

Shohei Ohtani has made a gigantic splash in the majors, but his Angels haven’t finished higher than fourth in the AL West since the two-way superstar arrived in 2018 to complement Mike Trout’s bat.

Now, Taylor Ward has emerged as a third offensive force — and the bargain star could be the missing piece for Los Angeles to make the postseason for the first time since 2014.

Ward is having a monster season at the plate, but while Trout and Ohtani make a combined $43 million, Ward is bringing home $720,000.

• He leads MLB in batting average (.375), OBP (.488), slugging percentage (.721), OPS (1.209), OPS+ (253), and batting average on balls in play (.435).
• The 28-year-old has hit nine home runs and 23 RBI in 29 games, with a 25-game on-base streak.
• Selected 26th overall as a catcher in 2015, Ward inked a $1.67M signing bonus, — about $400,000 less than what the pick was slated to be worth.

With Ward’s big bat — plus a healthy, resurgent Trout and Ohtani’s pitching and hitting prowess — the Angels (24-16) have a +48 run differential, second-best in the AL behind the Yankees and are one game back of the Astros in the West.

Trout and Ohtani have won four of the previous eight AL MVP Awards, but Ward is making a case to join the party, even if the odds remain steep. Ohtani (+210) is the favorite, with Trout third (+475), and Ward tied for 12th (+6000).