The latest minor moves from around the game…
- Former Nationals farmhand Drew Ward has signed a minor league deal with the Tigers, per Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post (via Twitter). The 26-year-old was a third round pick by the Nats back in 2013. He posted a 105 wRC+ in Triple-A and 139 wRC+ in Double-A during the 2019 season for the Nats. He consistently posted solid offensive numbers on his march through the Nats’ system, though his walk rate fell below average in 2019 as his strikeout rate shot up close to an unsightly 40 percent. The lefty bat can play both infield corners and serve as depth in that regard for the Tigers. It should be noted that while Ward’s walk rate and strikeout rate worsened in 2019, Ward’s isolated power numbers proved the best of his young career. If an approach shift resulted in selling out for power more often than not, Ward at least registered a .232 ISO across 205 plate appearances in Double-A and .270 ISO in 117 Triple-A plate appearances. Not to mention, Ward slashed a robust .335/.407/.633 with a 25.6 percent strikeout rate and 9.3 percent walk rate while playing Indy ball in 2020.
What? The Blue Jays we’re not interested?
More organizational need, great just what we need!
That a boy “Big Al”….another ‘depth move’…that should really help the young studs in their quest/need to be mentored…so sick of depth moves…give me one true signing, someone who can mentor these young kids
So you want to waste money not so it’s not there when it’s needed.
Glad you are not the Tiger’s GM
Welp, you certainly can do worse for a minor league signing. Welcome aboard Drew
Another transaction that went a little under the radar is that Mike Kickham signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers.
Having seen Kickham pitch, I would suggest that that move should maybe stay under the radar.
Did you watch his train wreck of a comeback attempt with Boston last season? The best thing to do is to Kickham to the curb!
Kickham might be a worse MLB pitcher then Kendall Hinton is a NFL QB.
Aided by his young ward…. Aided by his young ward…
With all these depth moves maybe Toledo will win the International League championship. Closest thing Detroit will get to a championship. (Sigh)
Settle down, it doesn’t make any sense for a team in the Tigers position to spend money right now. The only thing it would serve to do is mollify fans like you. They’re gonna finish 4th in the central at nest, why spend money just to say you did?
Not a bad gamble by Detroit at all. The kid has some legit power and has shown a propensity to get on base in every level of the minors. The main issue with Ward is his strikeout rate. He needs to cut his K rate down to 25% or less if he ever hopes to play in the majors. I wish him good him good luck! He is also a prime candidate to go overseas and jump start his career in Japan or Korea if he can’t matriculate through the Detroit system.
Well,the Tigers are a franchise that needs the fans to buy tickets and can’t rely on the TV contract alone to get them by. Last year, Cron, Schoop,Romine and Novoa made it seem like they were trying. They haven’t given a reason to buy tickets yet. Mollify me!
“a franchise that needs the fans to buy tickets”
ummm, yeah…. that is all of the ball clubs.
Nats fan here. Hope Ward gets a shot with the Tigers. Seven years in the Nats farm system, with decent numbers, and he never really got a shot. True he was blocked by a couple of decent players at 3B, in Zimmerman and then Rendon, but still.
Ward played last year in Fargo. Hopefully it was baseball and not…..well…..er…..
At least he might have some interesting stories to tell.
nice depth move. a Minors guy who might actually be able to develop into a utility guy for the big club.