Isotopes centerfielder Braiden Ward shows game-changing speed

Braiden Ward can get from home plate to first base in less time than it took you to read this sentence.

Probably.

Most people will read that line in about four seconds. Ward, the Albuquerque Isotopes’ newly promoted centerfielder sprinted to first base on a bunt in 3.69 seconds during his Triple-A debut July 1 against El Paso.

According to the National Strength and Conditioning Association, it takes 4.35 seconds for the average MLB player to run from home plate to first base.

Ward announced himself that night, going 2-for-3, recording a pair of infield hits, scoring twice, and stealing a base.

Ward, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 160 pounds, is known for his blazing speed. Since joining the Isotopes from Double-A Hartford on July 1, he has swiped 11 bases in 13 games and tallied multiple infield hits and bunt singles. He’s batting .361 with 13 hits and six walks during that stretch.

“Stealing a base, to me, is like your swing,” Ward told the Journal on Tuesday. “You have a technique you look at and you repeat and repeat and repeat.”

Before beginning his pro career, Ward played for the University of Washington, where he established himself as one of the fastest players in that version of the Pac-12 and earned a reputation for causing chaos on base paths. That speed carried over to his pro journey, as he climbed the Colorado Rockies’ farm system and got the call up to Triple-A this season.

In a July 24 Isotopes game in Salt Lake City, Ward delivered one of his most electrifying highlights yet: stealing home . It was just the 13th steal of home since the Isotopes came into existence in 2003.

Last May, while with High-A Spokane, he stole six bases in a single game — a feat no minor leaguer had achieved in nearly 20 years.

“Power isn’t my thing,” he said. “Hitting the ball hard and low and getting on base is what I need to do, and what’s going to help this team … causing havoc and making (the other team) think about me.”

Ward’s speed is only part of what makes him valuable. His teammates and coaches praise the energy and consistency he brings to the clubhouse.

Isotopes outfielder Sam Hilliard voiced some of the locker room sentiment surrounding the young speedster.

“He’s always busting his butt,” said Hilliard, an Isotopes veteran with MLB experience . “He’s completely fine with singles and getting on base in this day and age when hitting homers is super sexy. He’s a spark for offense, he’s getting on base, stealing bags … to have a guy on your team like that is refreshing.”

Hilliard also noted how Ward’s speed impacts every aspect of the game.

“I don’t think there’s any scenario in which (his speed) doesn’t help. ... His ability to go get the ball and run down the gaps in center; his ability to get on base and steal bags and help us generate runs.”

Third-year manager Pedro Lopez echoed that sentiment.

“I just think his energy is contagious,” he said. “We’ve done a better job running the bases. I think he sets the tone for that.”

Lopez said Ward brings other offensive assets that complement his speed.

“His ability to get on base, he can bunt, he has a good eye,” Lopez said. “He’s a really great team player and what he brings on the base path is impressive.”

It’s clear he has the speed, but Ward knows he still has improvements to make.

“I think just consistently barreling the ball. While I’ve been up here, I got a few barrels as of late. But … not missing my pitch and being able to hit low line drives and consistently do that.”