Isotopes centerfielder Braiden Ward shows game-changing speed
Braiden Ward can get from home plate to first base in less time than it took you to read this sentence.
Probably.
Most people will read that line in about four seconds. Ward, the Albuquerque Isotopes鈥� newly promoted centerfielder sprinted to first base on a bunt in 3.69 seconds during his Triple-A debut July 1 against El Paso.
According to the National Strength and Conditioning Association, it takes 4.35 seconds for the average MLB player to run from home plate to first base.
Ward announced himself that night, going 2-for-3, recording a pair of infield hits, scoring twice, and stealing a base.
Ward, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 160 pounds, is known for his blazing speed. Since joining the Isotopes from Double-A Hartford on July 1, he has swiped 11 bases in 13 games and tallied multiple infield hits and bunt singles. He鈥檚 batting .361 with 13 hits and six walks during that stretch.
鈥淪tealing a base, to me, is like your swing,鈥� Ward told the Journal on Tuesday. 鈥淵ou have a technique you look at and you repeat and repeat and repeat.鈥�
Before beginning his pro career, Ward played for the University of Washington, where he established himself as one of the fastest players in that version of the Pac-12 and earned a reputation for causing chaos on base paths. That speed carried over to his pro journey, as he climbed the Colorado Rockies鈥� farm system and got the call up to Triple-A this season.
In a July 24 Isotopes game in Salt Lake City, Ward delivered one of his most electrifying highlights yet: stealing home . It was just the 13th steal of home since the Isotopes came into existence in 2003.
Last May, while with High-A Spokane, he stole six bases in a single game 鈥� a feat no minor leaguer had achieved in nearly 20 years.
鈥淧ower isn鈥檛 my thing,鈥� he said. 鈥淗itting the ball hard and low and getting on base is what I need to do, and what鈥檚 going to help this team 鈥� causing havoc and making (the other team) think about me.鈥�
Ward鈥檚 speed is only part of what makes him valuable. His teammates and coaches praise the energy and consistency he brings to the clubhouse.
Isotopes outfielder Sam Hilliard voiced some of the locker room sentiment surrounding the young speedster.
鈥淗e鈥檚 always busting his butt,鈥� said Hilliard, an Isotopes veteran with MLB experience . 鈥淗e鈥檚 completely fine with singles and getting on base in this day and age when hitting homers is super sexy. He鈥檚 a spark for offense, he鈥檚 getting on base, stealing bags 鈥� to have a guy on your team like that is refreshing.鈥�
Hilliard also noted how Ward鈥檚 speed impacts every aspect of the game.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think there鈥檚 any scenario in which (his speed) doesn鈥檛 help. ... His ability to go get the ball and run down the gaps in center; his ability to get on base and steal bags and help us generate runs.鈥�
Third-year manager Pedro Lopez echoed that sentiment.
鈥淚 just think his energy is contagious,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e done a better job running the bases. I think he sets the tone for that.鈥�
Lopez said Ward brings other offensive assets that complement his speed.
鈥淗is ability to get on base, he can bunt, he has a good eye,鈥� Lopez said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a really great team player and what he brings on the base path is impressive.鈥�
It鈥檚 clear he has the speed, but Ward knows he still has improvements to make.
鈥淚 think just consistently barreling the ball. While I鈥檝e been up here, I got a few barrels as of late. But 鈥� not missing my pitch and being able to hit low line drives and consistently do that.鈥�
