This story was excerpted from Jake Rill’s Orioles Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
BALTIMORE -- For the first 11 games of the season, the Orioles had Taylor Ward batting leadoff and Gunnar Henderson in the No. 2 hole. For the past five, they’ve had Henderson at No. 1, with Ward at No. 2.
No matter the order, it’s a strong way for Baltimore to start a game. Henderson has a team-high six home runs (tied for second in the Majors), while Ward has an MLB-high 10 doubles to go with a .333 average and a .919 OPS.
“I think 29 teams would pay a lot of money to have those guys hit one and two,” assistant hitting coach Brady North said.
“It’s one of the best 1-2 punches in the game right now,” said utility man Blaze Alexander, who has frequently been the No. 9 hitter. “I wouldn’t want to pitch to them. So if you’re a pitcher, throw the ball down the middle to me.”
O’s fans are quite familiar with the 24-year-old Henderson, now in his fifth MLB season. That’s not as much the case with the 32-year-old Ward, who is new to Baltimore this year after being traded from the Angels on Nov. 19.
To get to know Ward better, here’s a short chat MLB.com had with the outfielder about his hot start, his hitting approach and more.
MLB.com: What do you feel like has been the key to this start?
Ward: I just think it’s mechanical, honestly. I talk about it a lot, but I think with us hitters, that’s just the biggest thing. When a hitter gets a ball down the middle and he rolls it over, I think there’s a mechanical issue there. So basically, when things are going well, I think the swing mechanics are working great.
I think for me right now, too, the biggest thing is just my path and being behind the ball for a long time. Especially in Chicago [last week], I was getting pre-beat by a lot of balls and shooting them down the line. I think it’s just one of the best signs you can see as a hitter, when they’re doing those things and then having that much length in the zone and then being able to play out front, too.
Miguel Cabrera, when he won the Triple Crown, he was in the zone for almost two feet. So basically, since 2017, I’ve been trying to basically emulate that with my path, just to be in the zone the longest amount of time, be behind the ball for the longest amount of time. That gives you the most room for success, and I think that’s what I’m doing well right now.
MLB.com: Is that something you’re doing better than last season with the Angels?
Ward: Last year, I was actually a little bit more uphill or steep, so my path is working more up, vs. right now, I think it’s just a little flatter. That’s why you’re seeing probably a lot more line drives and things like that. I think, last year, because my path was a little bit more working up, I hit more balls out that way. But it’s hard to hit for average like that, because I just wasn’t in the zone as long. So really, I just think that’s the biggest thing.
And then, when I continue to get more on time and catching the ball more out front, that’s when you see, hopefully, the ball going over the fence.
MLB.com: Last year, you hit 36 homers with a .228 average. This year, you haven’t homered, but you’re hitting for average. Was the higher average a goal?
Ward: My goal every year is to have a high OPS. I think that’s just what shows a great hitter, that stat. Personally, I’m cool with hitting .200 with an .850 OPS. I’m cool with not hitting any homers and hitting .300 with an .850 OPS. It’s really all about OPS for me. But yeah, I just think that is the most important thing hitters should look at.
MLB.com: What has it been like hitting behind Henderson lately, after hitting in front of him earlier on?
Ward: Oh, I love it. With him getting on, his speed, even if it’s a walk or however, and me doing what I’m doing now, I mean, it’s a great recipe. Also, I love that hopefully they’ll bring in a lefty for him and then I get to face a lefty. So that’s another thing I’m stoked about. So I just think it’s a good way to go.
[Manager Craig Albernaz] talked to us about it, about the switch, and I told him, ‘It doesn’t matter where I hit. It’s all good.’ But to be protecting Gunnar is an honor, and I don’t take that lightly. Hopefully now, he gets a few more pitches to hit, possibly.