What's the deal with Ward this year?

[CuseCubFan69]

He just looks horrible with his swings. I know the Cubs have more problems than him but .063 is just not helping.

[Little Slide Rooter]

After his red hot Spring, I was expecting a lot more out of him, especially for a guy who was expected to hit 40 HR a year when he came into the league. I still remember when they were walking him to get to Soriano at time last year. We need that fat man back.

[Banedon]

While it'd certainly be nice if Ward was doing better, offense really hasn't been our major issue this season.

[jersey cubs fan]

Is Ward considerably fatter this year? I don't remember him looking this soft.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Is Ward considerably fatter this year? I don't remember him looking this soft.

 

It seems a lot of guys have put on some pounds. Johnny Estrada and Prince Fielder look like they each put on 100.

[Wilson A2000]

I don't think he has gained weight. He came into spring training early and I thought I heard reports that he lost weight.

[Tracer Bullet]

While it'd certainly be nice if Ward was doing better, offense really hasn't been our major issue this season.

 

It think the OP made that pretty clear. But your "best" PH is usually put into particularly important situations. His failing almost 95% of the time is hurting us.

[CuseCubFan69]

Is Ward considerably fatter this year? I don't remember him looking this soft.

 

Is he? I thought it was just my HD TV that made him look so.

[Abe Frohman]

Ward is not fat, he's obese. He is literally in terrible shape, and Lou was making comments about it in Spring Training - how he was "proud" of D Ward for completing a workout.

 

He can't play defense anymore because of his size and mobility, and it's a shame. If he doesn't hit, what good is he to this team?

[Wilson A2000]

While Prince Fielder is probably bigger, he is right on that track. While I'm not a Brewers fan, he has too much talent to see it go to waste. But I remember hearing Prince is a vegetarian or mostly vegetarian now because he realized he was fat. The extremely baggy pants don't help either.

 

Ward was out of shape last year, and he hit over .300 and had an OBP over .400. He was maybe the best PH in baseball. Yes he is overweight, but I don't think it has anything to do with his numbers right now.

[Abe Frohman]

His numbers aren't really that bad, as he has drawn some walks and has got on base at a pretty decent rate. He will hit, maybe he just needs a couple starts so he can get some at bats under his belt (pun not intended).

 

He is in much worse shape than last year, though. He should mix in a salad.

[VVMattVV]

While it'd certainly be nice if Ward was doing better, offense really hasn't been our major issue this season.

 

It think the OP made that pretty clear. But your "best" PH is usually put into particularly important situations. His failing almost 95% of the time is hurting us.

 

He hasn't failed "almost "95% of the time" this year. He's still taken 7 walks in 23 PA, his OBP is at .348. So he's failed us almost 75% of the time. I agree he has been bad, and I doubt he'll put up another .900+ OPS off the bench, but I'm not too worried about him.

[Post Count Padder]

I'd give him more time. It's still early. Cut him loose if he's not hitting a month from now. We have worse problems

[chuckywang]

He's only had 16 ABs.

[sneakypower]

He hasn't failed "almost "95% of the time" this year. He's still taken 7 walks in 23 PA, his OBP is at .348. So he's failed us almost 75% of the time.

may i suggest a calculator

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

We really don't have many better options on the farm to replace him with. I'd give him until June to show something. If he doesn't, there will be plenty of teams unloading players who can fill his role at the deadline.

[CubColtPacer]

He's been in a slump, but it has been somewhat bad luck as well. He's 0 for 12 when he puts the ball into the field of play despite 70% of those being either ground balls or line drives. He's only hit 3-4 of those hard at all (and only 1 of those hard hit balls was a line drive), but even with that a couple of those should have found holes, and they simply haven't so far.

[VVMattVV]

He hasn't failed "almost "95% of the time" this year. He's still taken 7 walks in 23 PA, his OBP is at .348. So he's failed us almost 75% of the time.

may i suggest a calculator

 

my bad, typed that out real fast before I went to class. 75% is actually his body fat percentage.

[Soul]

Is Ward considerably fatter this year? I don't remember him looking this soft.

 

It seems a lot of guys have put on some pounds. Johnny Estrada and Prince Fielder look like they each put on 100.

 

Someone should talk to Fielder about the Vegan diet. Because he's not doing it right.