All-Star Catcher Ward Returns for Second Season
GUELPH - The Guelph Royals Baseball Club is excited to announce the re-signing of catcher Matthew Ward for the 2026 season.
Ward, 24, returns to Guelph for his second season with the team after a standout rookie campaign in 2025.
In his debut season with the team, the Niagara grad batted .259 with three home runs and six doubles, walking 22 times and striking out just 28 times.
The Mississauga native was one of three Royals All-Stars in 2025 and mostly recently represented Great Britain as their bullpen catcher during the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Royals assistant general manager Ryan Eakin said he expects Ward to take a leap in 2026.
"Ward, to me, is as much a part of this core as anyone. He is as vocal as anyone in the dugout, does everything asked of him and then some, plays a premium position, performed at an elite level throughout the first-half of 2025, and has the respect of players across the league for the work he does behind the plate. There is a reason why he was an All-Star last year. I truly do think he is the best Canadian catcher in this league."