Dodgers Give Longtime Prospect Ryan Ward Major League Call

Feb 22, 2026; Peoria, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Ryan Ward against the San Diego Padres during a spring training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

While there are younger outfielders with more upside in Triple-A who are lighting it up, Ward is on the 40-man roster, making him the top option for the team in case they need any immediate call-up.

Ryan Ward’s road to his major league debut

Ward is taking in the 8th round of the 2019 MLB Draft after opting to go down the college route. He has worked his way up the minor league ladder quickly since being drafted, but he has been in the Triple-A level since 2023.

While the Dodgers have dealt with a logjam with the major league team, Ward has been biding his time in Triple-A, and manager Dave Roberts was impressed with how Ward handled the disappointment of not making the major league roster.

Dodgers value Ward’s changes

“The thing I like about Ryan is he’s performed,” manager Dave Roberts said this spring. “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.”

“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.”

Indeed, Ward has his highest on-base percentage since making it to Triple-A in 2023. He has a .432 and 165 wRC+, another career high in Triple A, through 18 games in the PCL.

The sample size is small, but Ward has made some adjustments to the Dodgers, who have an apparent need for a bat, and is betting that it will lead to a degree of success.