He is a phantom ballplayer, having spent a day on the active roster of the Baltimore Orioles without making an appearance.
Ballard started 2007 with the Single–A Clinton LumberKings, where he went 9–4 with a 3.93 ERA and 59 strikeouts before earning a promotion to the High–A Bakersfield Blaze.
He started the season with the Triple–A Norfolk Tides, but was demoted to the Double–A Bowie Baysox after posting a 4.91 ERA with 38 strikeouts over 10 games.
On December 27, 2011, Ballard signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals that included an invitation to spring training.
[7] He spent 2012 with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators, posting a 1-5 record and 4.31 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 64+2⁄3 innings pitched across 12 starts.
[10] On May 1, 2013, Ballard signed with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.