2 years agoLos Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward had a career year at the plate in 2022, slashing .281/.360/.473 with 23 homers, 73 runs, 65 RBI, and five stolen bases over 135 games. His Statcast numbers agree; a .268 xBA and .474 xSLG. Ward struck out a career-best 21.3% thanks to a 29.1% and 23.7% whiff rate off of breaking balls and offspeed pitches, respectively (35.0% and 34.0% in 2021), and only chased pitches at a 20.6% clip. The former first-rounder set a career-high 12.4% barrel rate while posting a 69th-percentile average exit velocity and hardly hit it on the ground (35.5% groundball rate). Although Ward's never been this dangerous with the bat, there were signs of his potential in the past. He was on pace for 20 bombs in 2021 (eight in 65 games), posting a 10.3% barrel rate, and has always had solid line drive rates (27.6% career mark). Ward's rough patch from June til August might turn fantasy managers off. But the 28-year-old still posted an expected slugging of at least .410 in every month except July (.354 xSLG). The 28-year-old has had 79th-percentile sprint speed the previous two seasons and stole 38 bags over 490 minor league games, so the five steals from this season is probably the floor for next year. Ward will do a bit of everything, so his 137 ADP is fair, and his Steamer projections offer greater value than more expensive outfielders such as Nick Castellanos (122 ADP) and Kris Bryant (118 ADP).--Spencer Seguin