Editors Note: This is the latest in our player profile in our 40-man breakdown series that we have started here at the Nats Report. Check our other player profiles.

Thaddeus Ward

• Position: Right-Handed Relief Pitcher
• Current status: Optioned to Triple-A Rochester
• 2023 Grade: D
• 2024 Opening Day Projection: Triple-A Rochester
• 2023 stats: 26 G | 35.1 IP | 6.37 ERA | 1.63 WHIP | 0 SV | 30 SO | 28 BB | 25 ER |  -0.4 fWAR | -0.3 bWAR

2023 Analysis: Thaddeus Ward may not have impressive current statistics with an ERA of 6.37 and 25 runs given up during the 2023 season. However, it is important to note that he is still in the development phase. Despite giving up seven home runs, striking out 30, and walking 28, Ward has shown potential and could become a valuable asset to the team. The Nationals are keeping him in the bullpen to hone his skills and make him a more effective pitcher, but this takes time. He is currently 27 years old and his pitches probably need more development.

On the positive side, Ward has a sweeper just like Kyle Finnegan. Last season, the Nationals acquired Ward in the Rule 5 draft and brought him up from Boston’s Double-A affiliate. He appeared in 26 games and primarily used a sinker, cutter, and slider while mixing in a changeup and a four-seam now and again. There is a strong chance that some of those pitches will result in either ground outs or just being hard to hit with a 45.5 percent groundball rate.

The 2023 season might not have been the best for Thaddeus Ward, but it is his first time in the majors. Going from Double-A to the majors is a huge deal and shines a positive light on his baseball career with the Washington Nationals.

2024 outlook: According to BaseballReference, Thaddeus Ward is poised to have a spectacular 2.25 ERA this season. Although the Nationals recently optioned him to Triple-A Rochester, I am confident that they have a clear plan to develop him into a starting pitcher and eventually add him to their rotation. While he currently serves in the Triple-A bullpen, I predict that Rochester will work diligently to maximize his potential and ensure that he is not rushed back to D.C. this season. Moreover, he can perfect his fastball and develop his sweeper, which will be critical to his success. I predict his ERA will decline to 4.85 in the first month of the Triple-A season. However, he will slowly improve his pitch control within the strike zone. Moreover, he will work at a healthier pace in terms of pitch count this season.