Drew Ward makes first major league spring start at third base today for Nats

Every day is special for prospects who get to work with the big leaguers at spring training.

Today is an even bigger day for 20-year-old third baseman Drew Ward, who makes his first start in spring training with the major league club as the Nationals take on the Yankees. The game will be aired on MASN HD at 1 p.m.

"It's a big deal," low Single-A Hagerstown manager Patrick Anderson said.

News of Ward's first start today was big news at his church, not to mention the entire small town of Leedey, Okla. (population 450).

"The whole town erupted and was going crazy. It's pretty cool," Anderson said.

Ward displayed his bat last season in the South Atlantic League. In 115 games, Ward hit .269 with 26 doubles, three triples, 10 homers and 73 RBIs. In 2013, he hit .292 in 49 games for the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Nationals, helping them to a championship.

"I had him for his first two years in professional baseball," Anderson said. "It was a treat to be able to be around this type of young man. He has really matured in professional baseball and he put up some really good numbers for a 19-year-old in his first long season."

It would make sense to see Ward advance to high Single-A Potomac this season. Those announcements are forthcoming and have not been made official, but it looks like the 6-foot-4, 210-lb., left-handed hitting Ward will get to challenge Carolina League pitching this season.

"His body looks really good," Anderson said. "Looks like he's got some strength on him. He's very consistent with his arm strength and arm accuracy, very impressed with that. His footwork got a lot better as the season went along in a full season. He played third base for me all last year and did a really good job."