DENVER -- The Dodgers called up slugging left fielder/first baseman Ryan Ward, their No. 19 prospect per MLB Pipeline, on Sunday and placed Freddie Freeman on the paternity list.
Ward, 28, has spent the past seven years in the organization’s farm system after being selected in the eighth round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Despite hitting well in the Minors, a loaded Major League roster and drastic splits at the plate seem to have kept him from making his MLB debut to this point.
The reigning Pacific Coast League MVP launched 36 home runs and drove in 122 with a .937 OPS for Triple-A Oklahoma City last season, and he has gotten off to a hot start so far in 2026, with a 1.020 OPS and four homers -- including a 445-foot shot to lead off the game for Oklahoma City on Thursday.
The left-handed-hitting Ward has hit right-handed pitching extremely well, but he has struggled against left-handers. Last season, he produced a .319/.402/.636 slash line with 31 homers against right-handers, while posting a .686 OPS with five homers against lefties. MLB Pipeline considers him more suited for a platoon role than an everyday role in the big leagues.
Defensively, Ward has limited range and below-average arm strength, meaning he is likely only an option in left field or at first base -- though, as MLB Pipeline notes, his 5-foot-10 frame makes him less than an ideal candidate at the latter position.
Freeman, who went 2-for-3 in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Rockies, is slashing .296/.360/.519 with three homers and 14 RBIs this season.