Braiden Ward Attempts to Make a Name For Himself With Red Sox: ‘I Play With My Hair on Fire’

Braiden Ward Attempts to Make a Name For Himself With Red Sox: ‘I Play With My Hair on Fire’ originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Spring Training is the perfect time for managers to tinker with their lineup. They can see who brings value and who can be a major role player. That will be especially relevant with the World Baseball Classic taking starters away from their team.

A new member of the Red Sox, Braiden Ward has a chance to shine, potentially becoming the next big thing in Boston.

Ward was traded to Boston from Colorado for reliever Brennan Bernardino. It’s expected he’ll start the season in Triple-A Worcester. However, his impressive speed will be something to monitor going forward.

At the beginning of the week (Feb. 23), Ward hit the ball 109.9 mph. He has three stolen bases so far. Why does that matter? Between Double-A and Triple-A last year, Ward slashed .290/.395/.391 with a .786 OPS. He hit four triples and stole 57 of 64 bases.

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Going back to college at the University of Washington, he’s one of the only players in Pac-12 history “to lead the conference in stolen bases three straight seasons.” Speed is Ward’s game, something he believes will benefit him and his new team.

“Because every day I can’t promise success, but I can promise I play with my hair on fire,” Ward said via Mass Live. “I’m always gonna go 110%. I feel like I play a little bit like (Jarren) Duran in that aspect where there’s no days off. Yeah, I’m going for it.”

The 26-year-old impressed with 22 stolen bases in Double-A and 35 in Triple-A. Ward showcased more pop in the latter with a .331 average. Home runs aren’t a big part of his game; he only had two last year. That hasn’t deterred him from doing whatever is needed to succeed.

Ward is ready to adapt when necessary.

“I’m just trying to stay short to the ball and barrel it 10 to 15 (degrees),” Ward said. “I’ll hit my homers here and there, but the pitchers know for the most part, ‘you can leave something up, he’s not going to hit it 450 feet.’

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“So they don’t want to walk me. They want to get me out in three pitches. So they just come after me usually with their best stuff, and I just try to stay inside it.”

Baseball has become a league where a super-utility player is one of the sport’s saving graces.

Ben Zobrist was the very definition of that. Jose Caballero (Rays), Maikel Garcia (Royals), and Jake Cronenworth (Padres) are some of today’s best. The Dodgers have relied on Kiké Hernández over the years, with productive results..

Ward’s skills could be the very answer the Red Sox are looking for. It helps that he has an interest in the team and their history.

“I used to wear a Red Sox hat all the time just because I liked the logo,” Ward went on to say. “And so I was excited. A team that wins, a team that’s been in the playoffs a bunch. A team where I can just have fun and enjoy it.”

Ward will do what he can to impress the Red Sox. If he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, based on his level of play, he might very well be at the front of the line for a promotion. From there, the possibilities are endless.

Braiden Ward Attempts to Make a Name For Himself With Red Sox: ‘I Play With My Hair on Fire’

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