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Washington Nationals Minors: Drew Ward’s AFL Hit Streak Continues

By Ricky Keeler

Mar 19, 2015; Melbourne, FL, USA; A view of Space Coast Stadium during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Nationals. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2015; Melbourne, FL, USA; A view of Space Coast Stadium during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Nationals. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /
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Down in the Arizona Fall League, Washington Nationals prospect Drew Ward has a hit in every game he’s played in

This week was the third week that Washington Nationals prospects took part in the Arizona Fall League playing for the Glendale Desert Dogs. In the six games played this week, the Desert Dogs went 3-3 and they are 6-11 on the Arizona Fall League schedule.

Right now, one of the more consistent hitters on the Glendale squad has been Nats third base prospect Drew Ward. This week, Ward went 6-for-18 at the plate with two RBI’s and had a three-hit game. The 21-year-old has recorded at least one hit in each of the 11 games he’s played and is tied for the league lead in hits (16).

Last offseason, Ward took part in the Arizona Fall League and did not have great results for the Salt River Rafters. In the 12 games that he did play in, he went 3-for-31 with two RBI’s. In an article written by Mike Rosenbaum on MLB.com, Ward talked about some of the changes he has made his swing:

"“I developed a leg kick in my swing and it’s helped me to get a little more rhythm and my timing’s a lot better. That was the biggest thing for me.” (h/t Mike Rosenbaum, MLB.com)"

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Yesterday, the Desert Dogs defeated Salt River by a final score of 6-3. One of the main contributors in that game was Washington Nationals prospect Andrew Stevenson. The center fielder went 3-for-4 with three RBI’s, including a two-run double in the third that got the scoring started.

Stevenson was 6-for-14 this week with three RBI’s. The other Nats position prospect, shortstop Osvaldo Abreu, went 3-for-12 with a RBI in three games. Abreu has recorded at least one hit in seven of his nine starts.

As for the Nats pitching prospects, some of them had a rough week. Austin Voth made one start on Friday against Salt River. He went five innings, gave up four runs on two hits, struck out two, and walked two on 74 pitches (41 strikes). Voth hit two batters and gave up a pair of two-run home runs in the loss

The other Washington Nationals pitcher who took a loss this week in AFL play was reliever Ryan Brinley. On October 27. Brinley went 1.1 innings, gave up two earned runs (three total) on four hits, and struck out two in the loss.

Also in that game, Nick Lee gave up two runs on four hits, struck out two, and walked one in 1.1 innings. As for Jake Johansen, he continued his scoreless streak. The right-hander gave up three hits and struck out three in his two outings this week (October 25 and 29).

Next: Nats Free Agent Target: Jason Castro

Glendale will be back in action on Monday at 3:35 p.m ET against the Surprise Saguaros. On November 5, the Rising Stars game will be played at 8:08 p.m ET and will be televised by MLB Network or you can watch it on MLB.com. The teams for that game have yet to be announced.

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