A star slugger finds his power tested in a new, pitcher-friendly ballpark, raising alarms about a potential collapse in 2026.
The Los Angeles Angels got the offseason underway by trading outfielder Taylor Ward to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for right-handed starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez back in November. A former Angels first-round pick who spent eight years at the major league level, Ward is set to begin another chapter on the East Coast.
The deal made sense for the Angels – Ward had one of his best seasons yet in 2025. He smashed a career-high 36 home runs and drove in over 100 RBIs for the first time in his career. He finished with a slash line of .228/.317/.475 with a .792 OPS.
Ward’s great season from the plate was a rare bright spot for the Halos in 2025, who lost 90 games. Still, it was time to cash in on Ward’s value while it was at an all-time high and with just one more year of team control remaining before he would enter free agency.
Getting Rodriguez in return gives the Angels a much-needed starting arm in what’s a questionable starting rotation. In his two seasons in the MLB, Rodriguez has posted a career ERA of 4.11 and nearly 10 strikeouts per nine innings. The 26-year-old did miss all of 2025 due to injury, however, which adds another layer of concern for the Angels' rotation in 2026, but all signs are pointing to a return to action early this spring.
The Angels may have dealt Ward at the perfect time, as he’s one of the hitter bust candidates in Bleacher Report’s recent article.
Writer Joel Reuter noted the Orioles’ need for a home run hitter as a reason why expectations surrounding Ward are so high in his first year with the club. After hitting 36 last season, the Orioles are banking on another season of similar production from the 32-year-old.
The problem is that Camden Yards, where the Orioles play, isn’t friendly towards right-handed hitters. The left field wall is being moved this year, but the field is still more friendly to pitchers rather than to hitters. Even with the wall moving in, Ward could find trouble adjusting to the pitcher-friendly park in Baltimore.
Ward’s game also raises some concerns entering a new ballpark, as his production is reliant on his slugging ability. His low on-base percentage and high strikeout rate leave all his value in how often he can hit extra-base hits. If he is to struggle adjusting to Camden Yards in 2026, Ward could certainly be one of the biggest offensive busts of the season, considering the Orioles’ reliance on him in their lineup.