Lost in the flurry of roster moves made by the Washington Nationals on Monday was the fact that the team actually lost a young pitcher with a decent amount of potential to the Beltway rival Baltimore Orioles. In case you are somewhat familiar with who I'm referring to, that would be none other than the former #1 overall pick in the 2022 Rule 5 Draft, righty Thaddeus Ward.
Ward was originally drafted in 2018 by the Boston Red Sox in the 5th round out of the University of Central Florida, and quickly shot through the ranks of the organization's Minor League system. He peaked as high as the #9 prospect in Boston's system in 2020, ranked ahead of current big leaguers such as Brayan Bello, Connor Wong, and Tanner Houck. This was largely in part due to being named Boston's Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2019, and his stock was soaring. Then in 2021, he had Tommy John Surgery, which put a major question mark on his prospect status, and the Red Sox ultimately left him off the 40-man roster going into 2023, leaving him exposed for the Rule 5 Draft.
This is where the Nats came in, as they chose to select Ward with the 1st overall pick in the 2022 Rule 5 Draft, and actually made the club's Opening Day roster in 2023. Despite operating primarily as a starter in the minors during his professional career, the Nats chose to move him to the bullpen, as they did not need another starting pitcher. Due to being a Rule 5 pick, the club had to keep him in the majors for the entire season, or else he would be sent back to the Boston Red Sox.
He struggled in his first full big league season, pitching to a 6.37 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 26 appearances out of the bullpen, and eventually only used him in mop-up duty. In July of 2023, Ward was placed on the Injured List with right shoulder inflammation, and he would only make 4 more appearances in September to conclude his first MLB season. The Nationals might have said Ward had some sort of "phantom injury" in order to retain his status for the future by keeping him on the big league club, but by allowing him to get necessary reps that would be vital for his future down in the minors.
Unfortunately for Ward, he would not appear in another game with the big league Nationals, and spent all of the 2024 season with the Rochester Red Wings, where he did not perform well at all. Ultimately, the organization decided it was best to own up to their mistake and let him go on waivers, where he would be claimed by the Baltimore Orioles. Hopefully he doesn't end up being another tale of Nationals relievers that go on to be successful after leaving the club, but only time will tell if that will be a similar case for the 27-year-old righty.
Do you think the Nationals were right to waive Thad Ward? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.