The Los Angeles Angels got off to a hot start in 2022 thanks to the power of Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani.
But another emerging star helped carry some of the load as well.
Outfielder Taylor Ward also had a very good season.
It wasn’t enough to reverse the Angels’ fortunes, but he’ll look to follow up his breakout 2022 campaign with another show of power in 2023.
Recently, MLB Network stopped by the Angels spring training facility in Tempe, Arizona and caught up with the young outfielder, who discussed what it was like to play alongside both Trout and Ohtani for a full 162-game season.
Taylor Ward discusses what it's like playing with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani every day and shares some of his "swing thoughts" 📝@Angels | @Plesac19 | #SpringTraining | #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/uFODu9BOoB
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 2, 2023
Ward talked about having recently seen both Trout and Ohtani take batting practice, and simply marveled at what the two sluggers were able to do.
He even went as far as to say that nobody in baseball today hits the ball like Trout and Ohtani do.
Ward also was asked by Greg Amsinger if he could share any thoughts and tips about his swing to up and coming young baseball players.
The 29-year-old said that above all else, it simply depends on the pitcher and his pitch arsenal.
Ward talked about how he prepared for each pitch and how he makes adjustments on the fly to whatever pitch is being thrown, whether it’s a fastball, a breaking pitch, or a pitch high in the strike zone.
Ward hit .281 with 23 home runs last season and had an OPS of .833 and an OPS+ of 135.
He’ll look to repeat his performance and help the Angels bounce back from a tough 2022 season.
NEXT: New Angels Pitcher Has His Debut On The Calendar
