Taylor Ward’s Power Struggle

Baltimore Orioles News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 28, 2026 · 1m

Taylor Ward’s power-hitting days may be on pause as he’s slugging at his lowest since his rookie year, but he’s compensating with elite on-base rates—nearly 40%—by refusing to chase pitches. His disciplined approach has drawn praise from six-time All-Star Joey Votto, who admires his consistency but warns that pitchers may eventually stop respecting his bat if he doesn’t threaten with power. Votto recalls his own experiment with a similar strategy, noting that pitchers adjusted by throwing more strikes. He suggests Ward might be better off embracing his power potential for long-term success…