TEMPE, Ariz. — The public discourse about the Angels outfield has mostly focused on whether Mike Trout should play center, just how the Angels will handle aging Justin Upton and whether Jo Adell or Brandon Marsh are poised for a breakout season.

And then, there’s Taylor Ward.

Little has been said about Ward, which is not at all an indication of the way the Angels think about him.

Manager Joe Maddon said this week that Ward is fully in the mix for an everyday outfield job.

“He’s a good outfielder,” Maddon said. “He’s a guy who plays all three really well. I would be comfortable if he starts (at any outfield spot).”

It’s also worth noting that Ward’s .769 OPS in 2021 was significantly higher than Upton (.705), Adell (.703) and Marsh (.673). Although he may not have the power and offensive upside of Adell, or the pure defense and speed of Marsh, he is essentially a much more polished combination of the two.

Ward was one of the Angels’ most coveted players in trade talks over the winter, a source said.

“He’s improved in every area,” Maddon said. “He’s always been this minor-league guy that everybody likes and it was always potential attached to him. I think we’re getting to the point now you’re gonna see realization of potential.”

Ward, 28, was the Angels’ first-round pick in 2015 as a catcher. His career stalled because he didn’t perform well offensively or defensively, so the Angels moved him from behind the plate at the start of the 2018 season. After Ward moved to third, he was free of the mental and physical demands of catching, and his offensive game blossomed.

In the years since, the Angels realized his best position was in the outfield, and Ward has made himself a better than average outfielder. He’s also improved at the plate, lifting his OPS in each season.

“I’m really trying to clean up things that I didn’t do very well last year, trying to implement those,” Ward said. “Offensively, I want to say right there. Defensively, there’s little things here and there that I’m cleaning up. So far, so good. Just keep it rolling.”

Ward said the last hurdle for him are some mental elements of the game.

“Just thinking ahead situations in the outfield, on the bases,” he said. “Offensively, that’s perfectly fine. I go into the box with a mindset and just stick with it.”

Ward could fit on the Opening Day roster as the starter in one of the corners, or as an extra outfielder. It’s possible they could keep five outfielders, which would include Marsh, Adell and Ward. All three can be optioned, too.

Ward and Upton have both been working out at first base, so either of them could also see some action spelling Jared Walsh against tough left-handed pitchers.

PITCHING PLANS

Maddon said he will announce his Opening Day starter Thursday, but in the meantime the Angels have set their upcoming spring training rotation, which leaves little question about what their plan is for the season.

Starting on Saturday, the Angels will have Shohei Ohtani, Patrick Sandoval, Noah Syndergaard, José Suarez and Michael Lorenzen pitch, in that order. The No. 6 spot remains a competition among Reid Detmers, Janson Junk and Jaime Barria. All three are scheduled to pitch Friday, with Junk and Barria working in the Cactus League game against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Detmers pitching against the Diamondbacks in a B game on Friday morning.

Related Articles

NOTES

Mike Trout was set to leave Angels camp Thursday to attend a funeral. Trout is expected to return Saturday, although it was uncertain if he’d return to game action Saturday or Sunday. …

Catcher Kurt Suzuki said he’s scheduled for his Cactus League debut Friday. Suzuki signed just before camp opened.