Taylor Ward DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Los Angeles Angels reinstated outfielder Taylor Ward from the paternity list on Friday and optioned third baseman Charles Leblanc to the minors in a corresponding move. The Angels haven't released their starting lineup yet for Friday's series opener in D.C. against the hosting Washington Nationals, but Ward should return to his starting duties in left field while batting in the middle of the order after missing the series in the Bronx against the New York Yankees this week. Outside of some modest power numbers (16 home runs), the 30-year-old Ward has had a pretty low ceiling on a bad Angels team in 2024. Since the All-Star break, he's homered twice while going 14-for-61 (.230), adding two doubles, 11 RBI, five walks and 20 strikeouts in 16 games played. Only three of his 16 homers this year have come off lefties, so he's not particularly attractive in DFS on Friday evening.

The Los Angeles Angels placed outfielder Taylor Ward on the paternity list on Tuesday and reinstated infielder Anthony Rendon (back) from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Ward will be away from the Angels for a few days and will miss the series in the Bronx against the New York Yankees this week before most likely returning on Friday for the series opener against the hosting Washington Nationals. Ward is useful for his power (16 home runs) for outfield depth in fantasy leagues, but he doesn't provide much else on a bad Angels team. He's currently slashing .228/.309/.395 with a below-average .704 OPS and 55 RBI in 109 games played. With Mike Trout (knee) and Luis Rengifo (wrist) both out for the year, Ward isn't going to have much protection in the heart of the Halos' batting order the rest of the year.

The Los Angeles Angels are listening to trade offers on outfielder Taylor Ward and utility man Luis Rengifo, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Rengifo is under team control through 2025 and Ward through 2026. Feinsand further emphasized that many front-office executives believe that the two players will be dealt by Tuesday's deadline. Ward enjoyed a nice start to the summer through May with a .268/.33/.469 line but has cooled off since June 1 with a much lower .168/.277/.292 line. However, he holds a 13.5% barrel rate and 42.9% hard-hit rate, which suggests he should be turning the corner very soon. Rengifo is on pace to set career highs in most statistics with a .304/.347/.426 slash line and an eye-catching 23 swiped bags. Both players will be very useful for a team looking to compete this fall and should provide the Angels with a solid package of prospects.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in on Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward and are working on a deal to acquire him before the July 30 trade deadline, according to sources. Ward would most likely move over to right field if he landed in Pittsburgh, replacing Joshua Palacios. Although Ward is batting a mediocre .238 (77-for-324) on the year, he does have 14 home runs, 44 RBI and 43 runs scored in 324 at-bats for a bad Angels team. While the Pirates may not necessarily be looking towards a postseason run this year, Ward is attractive because he's cheap and is under team control through the 2026 season. The rebuilding Angels are most likely looking for a couple solid prospects in return. If Ward were traded, Kevin Pillar would become a regular in left field in Anaheim, at least until Mike Trout (knee) returns from his injury.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward (knee) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Texas Rangers. Ward will make his return to the lineup after missing one game due to a right knee contusion. He's back in left field and batting third versus right-hander Max Scherzer on Tuesday. Fantasy managers who have Ward rostered can get him back in their lineups. However, it's hard to trust any hitter against an elite pitcher such as Scherzer.