DENVER — After a wait that stretched over seven years and a few weeks more, everything came down to one final half-inning.
Ryan Ward was on deck during Triple-A Oklahoma City’s game in Albuquerque on Friday, only to be called back to the dugout just before the inning wrapped up.
He was informed that some news awaited him, but had to hold on until his manager, Scott Hennessy, returned from third base.
As Ward recalled, “The guys on the bench were grinning at me.” It was a moment filled with anticipation; it was clear that people had their emotions invested.
When Hennessy finally came back, he delivered the news Ward had been longing to hear throughout his career.
After spending seven seasons in the minors, the Dodgers called him up for his long-anticipated MLB debut.
Finally reaching the pinnacle of his career felt surreal. “As I sit here now and think about it, it feels like it just flew by,” Ward shared on Sunday afternoon, ahead of his debut against the Rockies at Coors Field. “But it felt really long when I was trying to get here.”
At 28, Ward wasn’t really seen as a major prospect in the Dodgers’ system. In fact, he never was throughout his baseball journey.
He didn’t grow up in a baseball-rich environment. Attending a regular local high school in Millbury, Massachusetts, he wasn’t heavily scouted in college and played for mid-major Division I Bryant University.
His raw power did make him the Dodgers’ eighth-round draft pick in 2019; however, he was often overlooked due to his size (5-foot-10), limited defensive options (corner outfield or first base), and his struggles with strike zone discipline, which restricted his on-field success.
“He hasn’t been given anything,” his father, Carl, pointed out. “He had to work really hard to reach this point.”
Ward hit a total of 109 home runs from 2021 to 2024. He rose through the ranks from High-A to Triple-A, showcasing his unique ability to connect with the ball across the field.
“He always had power,” noted Brett Pill, who became friends with Ward while working as the Dodgers’ minor league hitting coordinator. Pill recently left that role to coach the Rockies.
Still, during those formative years, Ward’s batting average hovered at just .255, with nearly three times as many strikeouts (532) compared to walks (195). This made it easy for pitchers to exploit his weaknesses.
Time and again, Dodgers officials stressed the need for him to sharpen his plate discipline. Major League manager Dave Roberts even had a heart-to-heart with him at the end of spring training last season, saying, “This is what’s holding you back right now,” Karl recalled.
In response to the feedback, Ward took proactive steps. He revamped his winter hitting routine before his second year in Triple-A, frequently adjusting the pitching machine to better hone his strike zone vision and strategized extensively on how to tackle opposing pitchers.
“I think he kind of realized something,” Pill reflected, sharing that Ward acknowledged the need for a deeper understanding to make the team.
Then came a breakthrough in the 2025 season; his walk rate increased, strikeouts dropped significantly, and his power numbers skyrocketed. He went on to claim the Pacific Coast League MVP award, with a .290 batting average, 36 home runs, and 122 RBIs.
“A pitcher can’t just throw him a ball and make him swing,” Pill explained. “It transformed him into a complete hitter, not merely a power hitter.”
Despite the impressive numbers, Ward’s MLB call-up was slow in coming. Fans began advocating for him last year after seeing his outstanding stats in the minors, yet nothing happened.
“Honestly, I used that to fuel my motivation,” Ward mentioned. “If I’m not there yet, what steps do I need to take? I kept focusing on improving.”
Carl expressed pride in his son’s perseverance. “He never wallowed in self-pity,” he noted, describing how Ward adopted a work ethic that refused to let anyone outshine him.
For instance, during winter in Massachusetts, Ward helped his father, a parks superintendent, plow snow and clear local streets. Carl humorously recalled that Ward saw his first two-foot snowstorm this past winter.
He also dedicated time working at a local hitting facility, assisting younger players in honing their swings.
“He’s a really good kid,” Pill characterized him. “Boston Man, Grinder.”
Carl occasionally tried to cushion the blow of disappointment by reminding Ward that, “Even if you don’t get called up, you’ve reached an elite level in baseball that 99% never do.” But Ward remained focused on reaching the ultimate goal — joining the majors, especially with the organization that originally drafted him.
“Obviously, this lineup is impressive,” Carl acknowledged. “But making my debut with this team was crucial for him.”
Thus, the news on Friday felt profoundly significant—not just to Ward, but to all who had witnessed his journey.
Carl and Jen learned of the moment when they noticed their son still on the bench instead of taking his at-bat while watching a live stream of the Oklahoma City game.
“They showed him in the dugout hugging everyone,” Karl said. “We were ecstatic!” He had thought a trade was imminent, but this was far better.
As the news spread that night, Pill was inundated with messages from former Dodgers colleagues, all celebrating Ward’s achievement.
“It’s been a long time in the minors for him,” he remarked. “But especially with this team, getting any time in the big leagues is substantial. I received texts from many who care about this kid.”
Ward’s stint may be brief; he was recalled to take Freddie Freeman’s place as the superstar first baseman entered the paternity list. It seems his time in the majors is temporary, especially since Freeman is expected to return for the upcoming series with San Francisco.
Still, achieving this moment after such a long journey was commendable. In fact, one of Ward’s former minor league team members willingly gave up their spot in the starting lineup.
“Actually, I was going to start Dalton (the first baseball runner),” Roberts explained. “So I approached Dalton last night and said, ‘Hey, contrary to what I said, I’m starting Ryan because…’”
Roberts cut himself off, adding, “Dalton has served his time. He earned it.”
