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Ryan Ward, a slugging outfielder prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been promoted to the major league team after impressive performances in Triple-A. He has hit over 33 home runs in back-to-back seasons but faced challenges due to the team's postseason success.
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
On Friday, after the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies in dominant fashion, news broke that slugging outfielder prospect Ryan Ward is getting a promotion to the major league squad.
Ward, who has racked up back-to-back seasons with more than 33 home runs in Triple-A, has been the victim of the Dodgers’ postseason success.
Los Angeles has ill-afforded Ward a crack in the majors and let him work through his high strikeout rate. Things have seemingly changed in 2026, and the organization wants to see what he can do in MLB.
According to Fabian Aradaya of The Athletic, in the aftermath of Friday night’s freezing cold game, the Dodgers are adding Ward to the taxi squad, meaning he will be in Colorado when the team makes an impending move, which remains unclear.
Ryan Ward was promoted due to his impressive performance in Triple-A, where he hit over 33 home runs in consecutive seasons.
Ward struggled with a high strikeout rate and was impacted by the Dodgers' postseason success, limiting his opportunities in the majors.
Ryan Ward hit more than 33 home runs in each of the last two seasons in Triple-A.
Ryan Ward plays as an outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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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.
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.
“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.