Drew Ward begins his first season as hitting coach for the Saltdogs.  Prior to joining Lincoln, Ward has been in a similar position in Major League Baseball’s Arizona Fall League as a Hitting and Infield Coach for the Surprise Saguaros.  Ward also started a baseball academy with his father in Oklahoma City, providing personal lessons for teams as athletes 18-and under.

Ward had a successful playing career.  He played first and third base for the Fargo Redhawks and the Milwaukee Milkmen in the American Association, claiming All-Star recognition in 2020 and 2022, while earning a Miles Wolf Cup championship with Fargo in 2022.  In 2020, Ward won the American Association League Batting crown.  A third-round draft pick of the Washington Nationals out of Leedey High School (OK) in the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft, Ward was a 2016 Arizona Fall League All-Star Game starter, plus was named an All-Star while playing in the Carolina League.