Taylor Ward's first season with the Baltimore Orioles is off to an incredible start.
Taylor Ward’s first season with the Baltimore Orioles has quickly turned into one of the most productive stretches of his career. The 32-year-old veteran outfielder has been a driving force in Baltimore’s lineup through the opening weeks of the 2026 season, and on Wednesday he added his name to the franchise record books.
“Taylor Ward is the first player in Orioles history with nine doubles in an eight-game span. He drove in Gunnar Henderson for a second time today,” reported Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner.
The historic streak is only part of Ward’s dominant start. Through his first 11 games, he is hitting .383 with a .464 on-base percentage and 1.039 OPS. His nine doubles lead MLB, and he has consistently sparked the top of Baltimore’s order.
Ward has hit both leadoff and second, giving manager Craig Albernaz flexibility early in the 2026 season.
This is Ward’s first year in Baltimore after being acquired in an offseason trade with the Los Angeles Angels, a deal that sent right-hander Grayson Rodriguez to Anaheim.
Rodriguez has yet to pitch for the Angels due to injury, while Ward has immediately become one of the Orioles most productive hitters. While Rodriguez still holds more years of control, Ward has made the team's front office look smart immediately.
Before joining Baltimore, Ward spent eight seasons with the Angels and was primarily known for his home run power. Last season he hit 36 home runs and drove in 103 RBIs. While Ward has not yet hit his first home with the Orioles, he is clearly still making a big impact.
Ward has also outperformed Baltimore’s other major offseason addition, first baseman Pete Alonso, who has started slowly at the plate after signing a five-year, $155 million deal. With the Orioles aiming to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season and return to the postseason, Ward’s early production has been essential to their improved offensive output.
This season also carries personal significance for Ward. He is entering his final year of team control and is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. With the way he is performing, he is positioning himself for a substantial contract whether its from the Orioles or potentially another club in need of an impact bat.
If Ward continues at this pace, he could become one of the central reasons Baltimore returns to the MLB playoffs in 2026.