Third baseman Drew Ward focuses on hand position and swing path

Third baseman Drew Ward could be fixing to have a Tyler Moore-, Steven Souza Jr.-, Matt Skole-type of offensive year in the minors. The 21-year-old has a big bat, the ability to hit for power. If he begins in high Single-A Potomac, he will get a chance to dominate at the plate and practice his fielding skills every day. He would love to cut down on the 118 strikeouts in 115 games. He had 19 doubles, two triples, seven homers and 49 RBIs.

"He did really well at GCL and Hagerstown (in 2013 and 2014)," said low Single-A Hagerstown manager Patrick Anderson. "We knew at 20 years old moving to 21 years of age he was going to hit his ups and downs. Carolina League is a tough challenge. He was sent out to the Fall League to really see what professional baseball is all about at the upper levels."

Anderson said Ward came into camp this year and hit the ground running after getting a taste of Arizona Fall League competition to end last season.

"He came in and really worked on his hand position and good hitting position," Anderson said. "(Hitting instructor) Troy Gingrich has really been working with him as well. He's in a great position to be able to see the ball. His swing path is starting to repeat and the quality of his swings, staying on the ball. I think mentally he just needs to play more and get over that hump. That's just him being young. I think that he will be able to take it and run with it."

Ward slashed .246/.327/.359 with two teams in 2015, 111 of those games with Potomac.

* The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs announce their 24-game television schedule. The games will be broadcast on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel in the Syracuse area.

Here is the list:

5/6 @ Buffalo - 7:05 p.m.

5/13 @ Rochester - 7:05 p.m.

5/15 @ Rochester - 2:05 p.m.

5/20 vs. Norfolk - 6:35 p.m.

6/2 @ Buffalo - 7:05 p.m.

6/3 @ Buffalo - 7:05 p.m.

6/5 vs. Buffalo - 1:05 p.m.
6/17 vs. Columbus - 7:05 p.m.

7/2 vs. Rochester - 7:05 p.m.
7/3 vs. Rochester - 7:05 p.m.
7/4 @ Durham - 7:05 p.m.

7/5 @ Durham - 7:05 p.m.

7/6 @ Durham - 7:05 p.m.

7/15 vs. Durham - 7:05 p.m.

7/21 @ Rochester - 7:05 p.m.

7/22 @ Rochester - 7:05 p.m.

7/28 @ Buffalo - 7:05 p.m.

7/29 @ Buffalo - 7:05 p.m.

7/30 @ Buffalo - 7:05 p.m.

7/31 @ Buffalo - 7:05 p.m.


8/3 vs. Buffalo - 6:35 p.m.
8/4 vs. Buffalo - 6:35 p.m.
8/9 vs. Rochester - 6:35 p.m.
8/11 vs. Rochester - 6:35 p.m.

* Programming Note: The first "Nats Insider" show will be April 3 at noon on 106.7 The Fan. The one hour show will feature player, coach and executive interviews with the Nationals. I will also take calls and have journalists and noted authors as guests. During the season, "Nats Insider" will be broadcast every Sunday 90 minutes before first pitch.