Thaddeus Ward
• SP
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Nationals
Nationals Select Thad Ward With First Rule 5 Pick
The Washington Nationals selected Boston Red Sox right-hander Thad Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in Wednesday's Rule 5 draft. The soon-to-be 26-year-old had Tommy John surgery in 2021 but returned healthy late last season and then pitched in the Arizona Fall League. He could be a swingman in Washington's starting rotation/bullpen in 2023. Ward made 13 minor-league starts with four different teams in 2022, going 0-2 with a 2.28 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 66 strikeouts and 19 walks in 51 1/3 innings pitched. He also dealt with an oblique injury late in the season, but he was able to make four appearances (three starts) in the AFL, allowing four earned runs on 11 hits while walking six and striking out 15. The Nationals view him as a starter in the long term.
Dec 7, 2022
