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Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45 Ward served as a Red Sox bat boy during Spring Training while growing up in Fort Myers, Fla., and became a full-time employee when they selected him in 2018's fifth round out of Central Florida. Converted from college reliever to pro starter, he won Boston's Minor League pitcher of the year award in his first full pro season after logging a 2.14 ERA with a system-best 157 strikeouts in 126 1/3 innings between Low-A and High-A. He has barely pitched since because of the 2020 pandemic shutdown and Tommy John surgery last June after two Double-A starts.Before his elbow gave out, Ward displayed one of the system's best sliders, an 81-85 mph weapon with late bite that he could use for strikes and chases and also turn into an upper-80s cutter. He set up his slider with a hard two-seam fastball that ranged from 92-96 mph with good sink to induce groundball contact. He was working on improving his changeup, flashing some solid ones in the low 80s with fade. Left off Boston's 40-man roster last November, Ward became a Rule 5 target for several clubs until that Draft was cancelled following the lockout. Also a college basketball prospect in high school, he's a good athlete who repeats his easy delivery and should have at least average control once he comes all the way back from his elbow reconstruction. He still has a ceiling of a No. 4 starter with the fallback of becoming a multi-inning reliever who relies heavily on his slider and sinker.
1. Washington Nationals (38)Thad Ward, MIRP, from the Boston Red SoxWard’s omission from Boston’s 40-man came as somewhat of a surprise. Once upon a time, the 25-year-old righty was on track to claim a spot in the Red Sox rotation, but the delay caused by the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season was compounded by Ward needing Tommy John surgery the following year. He returned to the mound in July of 2022 and put up solid numbers, striking out nearly a third of his opponents throughout the remainder of the season. He then had a promising turn at this year’s Arizona Fall League, and now looks like a big-league ready reliever, with a mid-90s fastball and two above-average breakers. He may ultimately be a starter, but given that he’s coming off just half a season and a TJ rehab, it might work better for Ward’s innings count to start his big league career in a long relief role.
Good start today. I look at Ward as still a prospect...Rule 5 who was not ready for the majors.
