Mets use 18th-round pick on two-way prospect Marcus Ward out of Georgia

The New York Mets added a high school two-way prospect to their 2026 Draft class with the selection of Marcus Ward in the 18th round. Ward, listed as both an outfielder and a left-handed pitcher, comes from King’s Ridge Christian High School in Georgia and will enter pro baseball with experience handling multiple roles at the prep level.

Ward is a native of Alpharetta, Georgia, and attended King’s Ridge Christian High School. According to the draft profile, he was a four-year letterman at the school, contributing in both football and baseball. That multi-sport background is often relevant for player development, as it can translate into athleticism and adaptability, particularly for prospects expected to refine swing-and-throw skills within a professional system.

On the baseball side, Ward earned First All-Region Team recognition during the spring season noted in the profile. The same write-up describes how King’s Ridge Christian’s team, the Tigers, posted a 30-4 record and reached the Georgia High School Association Final Four for a second consecutive year. For a Draft prospect, that matters less as a resume checkbox and more as context for the environment he played in, including higher-stakes games late in the season.

The Mets’ choice also reflects a long-standing organizational interest in players who can contribute in more than one way, even when they are drafted in a later round. In practical terms, a player who both bats and pitches gives the club more flexibility while evaluating where his best path to impact may be. That flexibility can be valuable early in a pro career, when teams are determining how to best allocate reps and coaching time.

Ward’s combination of defensive responsibilities in the outfield and time on the mound aligns with that developmental approach. However, the draft profile stops short of providing specific pitching mechanics, statistical splits, or scouting grades beyond honors and team results. As a result, it is not yet possible to accurately project how quickly the Mets might separate his offensive and pitching upside, or whether he will be developed primarily as a position player, a pitcher, or a true two-way option.

Even so, the selection itself sets expectations for what the Mets will look for as they begin organizational instruction: polish of fundamentals, consistency in contact, and a clear plan for arm health and workload. For a player entering from high school, the transition typically includes adjusting to advanced pitching and faster defensive reads, while also learning how professional routines shape both performance and durability.

The next step for Ward is straightforward: participate in the Mets’ post-draft developmental process and translate his prep accolades into repeatable production. For fans and evaluators, the key question will be whether his outfield skills and left-handed pitching can both hold up as he faces higher-level hitters and more experienced batters. The Mets’ 18th-round investment suggests they see enough potential to keep both doors open as they assess his best long-term role.