Braiden
Ward

2020 DRAFT: After a strong sophomore campaign and productive showing in the Cape (.304/.371/.424), Ward entered the 2020 season as a Top 100 collegiate prospect. Although it was a shortened spring, he made the most of the opportunities (.283/.377/.367). At five-foot-10, 160 pounds, Ward sports a lean frame and wiry strength. He is a dynamic, top-of-the-order, left-handed bat with game-changing speed. As a base runner, Ward was 37-for-44 on stolen base attempts between last summer and 2020 spring season. Offensively, he sets up in the box with a wide, square stance and some short, quick bat wiggle in his hands. He stays balanced and athletic as he gets into landing with a quiet head and minimal weight shift. Shows a quick, direct stroke at the plate with his hands staying tight to his body, which allows the barrel to work inside of the ball. Ward is never going to be a consistent home run threat, but there's more raw power in the bat than you might expect. Defensively, he typically plays shallow in the big field, relying on his speed to run down balls overhead and the deep gaps, while taking away short popups in front of him. Overall, the speed translates well to the outfield and should allow Ward to stick in center field with slightly below average arm strength. His throws show accuracy and consistent ball flight from a high three-quarter release. Overall, Ward is one of the fastest players available in 2020 with a recent track record of success at the plate. His 80-grade speed impacts the game in several ways and his hit tool should allow him to consistently put pressure on the opposing team.

3/8/20: Five-foot-10, 160 pounds with a lean frame and wiry strength. Ward is a dynamic, top of the order, left-handed bat with game-changing speed. Sets-up in the box with a wide, square stance and some short, quick bat wiggle in his hands. Stays balanced and athletic as he gets into landing with a quiet head and minimal weight shift. Quick, direct stroke at the plate. Hands stay tight to the body and allow the barrel to work inside of the ball. Never going to be a consistent home run threat, but there’s more raw power in the bat than you might expect. Defensively, Ward played a shallow CF and didn’t get many looks to show off his range. One ball landed at the base of the wall, well over his head, for a double but allowed him to display his turn-and-burn ability. Also had the chance to come in hard on a shallow, sinking liner that forced him to make an athletic, sliding catch. Overall, the speed translates well to the OF and could allow Ward to stick in CF with slightly below average arm strength. Throws show accuracy and consistent ball flight from his high 3/4 release. At his current pace, Ward should play his way into the top 5 rounds of the draft. (Jurik)

8/21/19: One of the fastest, if not the fastest, college player in the 2020 class, Ward has impact quickness and speed. He is a 90 runner on the 20-80 scale. At 5-foot-10, 160 pounds he routinely turns singles into doubles and is a constant threat on the bases, stealing 27 bases in 33 attempts this summer. He takes large, aggressive leads and was timed at 3.22 on a successful SB of second base. He also has some surprising pop in his bat with three long balls to go along with his .303 batting average in 168 plate appearances. He routinely runs sub 3.95 seconds from the left side to first base. He can bunt down either side and will scoot to first in 3.5. Besides his ASG appearance the highlight of his summer was a 6-for-6 game on July 5. Even as MLB changes and leadoff hitters become more diverse, Ward is the prototype; left-handed hitting center fielder with top of the scale speed who should hit for a high average and on-base, while playing plus defense with plus range and enough arm (below average, yet playable) for the big field. The days of a comparable Jason Tyner (Texas A&M) being selected in the first round (1998) are likely in the past, but with another strong season for the Huskies, Ward will likely be considered in the Top 3-4 rounds this June. (Seifert)