Harry Ford: our new catcher of the future

[blue911]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/nationals-to-trade-jose-ferrer-to-mariners-for-harry-ford.html

[imref]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/nationals-to-trade-jose-ferrer-to-mariners-for-harry-ford.html

we got our catcher! 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/nationals-to-trade-jose-ferrer-to-mariners-for-harry-ford.html

holy shwow. . . . I guess Ferrer was worth more in trade than we figured.

[blue911]

holy shwow. . . . I guess Ferrer was worth more in trade than we figured.

It was the saves 

[imref]

mariner’s #4 prospect, former first round pick. Seems like a steal.

https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/mariners/harry-ford-695670

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Reportedly also receiving Isaac Lyon, an A ball pitcher drafted in the 10th round last year out of Grand Canyon University per Golden's X post.

[Slateman]

Mariners!

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Mariners!

weren't you on the Harry Ford is over-rated kick when his name was  brought up in  the past? Admittedly, it was in bigger trades.

[Slateman]

weren't you on the Harry Ford is over-rated kick when his name was  brought up in  the past? Admittedly, it was in bigger trades.

For CJ Abrams, yes. For a Ferrer? Holy crap that is robbery.

Did Rizzo sneak back into Nats Park and make a trade?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Longehagen had Ford as his MLB #43 prospect.

Some of Ford's dip in surface level production in 2024 (he slashed .249/.377/.367 after slugging at least .430 at each previous level) can be attributed to the change in hitting environment from Seattle's low-level affiliates (which inflate offense) to Double-A Arkansas (which suppresses it), but some of it appears to have been a temporary regression in his physical tools. Ford has always had a relatively grooved swing and struggled to get on top of elevated fastballs, but especially late in 2024, his bat speed looked like it had backed up quite a bit. It was also the second consecutive season in which his underlying power data (his peak exit velos and hard-hit rate) was a tad shy of the big league average. It began to look like Ford's plate discipline would be his only plus offensive trait. Instead, he has rebounded in the first half of 2025. He no longer has a stark, easily recognizable pattern of whiffs against elevated fastballs, though his contact rates (overall, and both inside and outside the zone) have returned to career norms after a hot start. The mechanics of Ford's swing haven't changed so much as his cadence and timing mechanisms have. His footwork in the box is starting sooner than last year and has been more consistently on time. He looks more fluid and explosive through contact compared to 2024, especially at the end.

Ford also does a lot of good stuff on defense and adds value on the bases with his speed. There seemed to be some experimentation happening with his throwing toward the end of the 2024 season. He'd more often cut it loose from his knees, and his 2024 caught stealing rate of 19% is worse than what one would hope for a guy with Ford's arm strength, but visually, he seemed fine. He's not an especially accurate thrower, but he'll post sub-1.8 pop times at peak and he's becoming a better ball-blocker. He sometimes tips that a breaking ball is coming by lowering his one-kneed stance down toward the ground a little too early, and he stays in the higher crouch when a fastball or changeup is coming, which arguably tips in the other direction. Ford is also a worse ball-blocker from that position. He's evolving back there, and has the athleticism and seemingly the aptitude to continue doing so. He's still not the best receiver and pitch framer, but Ford does enough other stuff at a very high level to be an above-average catcher.

The presence of Cal Raleigh at the big league level would make it tough for any catching prospect to break through in Seattle, so Ford played eight games in left field last year. He looked pretty good out there given his relative inexperience, but hasn't seen time there in 2025. Readers might recall that there were scouts who thought teenage Ford, who stole 35 bases in 44 attempts in 2024, had the speed to be developed in center field, but with Julio Rodríguez patrolling the middle pasture, it probably isn't necessary for the M's to try him there. He may be trade fodder, and potentially another franchise's primary catcher within the next two or three years. His roughly average hit/power combination is bolstered by plus plate discipline, giving Ford a sufficient offensive profile to be one.

https://www.fangraphs.com/prospects/the-board/2025-in-season-prospect-list?org=

I don't see how you get a #43 prospect for a reliever. Bloom must have been way off this flower.

[Slateman]

 I mean, if you believe you can develop pitchers, Ferrer's stuff is great. He throws a 98mph sinker and his changeup has elite movement.

But he is not a high leverage head.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

really impressive plate discipline. Doesn't swing at out of  the strike zone stuff while not being much below average in swinging at strikes. Normal contact rates.

[Slateman]

I'm not sold on his defense behind the plate. But he is athletic enough (and has the arm).to play RF.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I'm not sold on his defense behind the plate. But he is athletic enough (and has the arm).to play RF.

curious if the new catching coach can help him. It'd be huge  if he was an average hitter with decent OBP who could catch.

[Slateman]

curious if the new catching coach can help him. It'd be huge  if he was an average hitter with decent OBP who could catch.

But, like, couldn't a new catching coach help Ruiz? Or are we thinking that Ruiz is cooked because of his concussions?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-trade-catching-prospect-harry-ford-to-nationals-for-reliever-jose-ferrer/

On Saturday, less than 24 hours before the start of the MLB winter meetings, MLB sources confirmed the Mariners finalized a deal to acquire Jose A. Ferrer from the Washington Nationals in exchange for popular catching prospect Harry Ford and minor league pitcher Isaac Lyon.
...
Ford, the Mariners’ first-round pick in 2021 (12th overall), made his MLB debut late last season, but played sparingly after being called up. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Tacoma, posting a .283/.408/.460 slash line in 97 plate appearances with 18 doubles, 16 homers and 74 RBI.

FWIW, Ford's stats are from the PCL, but his wRC+ at every level of the minors was between 125 and 135, or 25% - 35% above league average.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

But, like, couldn't a new catching coach help Ruiz? Or are we thinking that Ruiz is cooked because of his concussions?

I think his bat is a lost cause even if the concussions don't force him off the plate. Ford's pop times are much better than Ruiz as is.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://newbaseballmedia.com/nationals-acquire-harry-ford-from-mariners-what-to-make-of-trade/

As we noted in September, Ford has a lot of desirable traits. A plus eye, compact swing, power potential, and the ability to draw walks. It’s the kind of skillset that could make him a leadoff man or #2 hitter, rare in this day of age for a catcher to be able to do that.

Defensively, Ford showed, as mentioned, athleticism in the past. The mobility helps, and he’s grown as a catcher. For reference, Ford allowed 20 passed balls with Everett (A+) two years ago. This year? None, over 81 games with Tacoma and four with Seattle.

Ford threw out 23% of runners behind the dish with Tacoma in 2025. His CS% ranged between 19% and 27% in the Minors.

[Slateman]

I think his bat is a lost cause even if the concussions don't force him off the plate. Ford's pop times are much better than Ruiz as is.

See, I think his bat is the only salvageable part of his game.

[Slateman]

https://newbaseballmedia.com/nationals-acquire-harry-ford-from-mariners-what-to-make-of-trade/

I would love to get CJ out of the leadoff spot.

I couldn't care less about stolen bases. If they mattered, we'd have a top 5 offense. I need someone who can frame, make ABS challenges, and block well.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://newbaseballmedia.com/nationals-acquire-harry-ford-from-mariners-what-to-make-of-trade/

same article notes Lyon is the son of  Brandon Lyon.

Lyon is a lot like his dad: doesn’t throw hard, low arm angle, is lanky, and will work with a heavy sinker. There’s also a changeup and slider in the arsenal. May very well profile as a reliever long-term. However, he was sent out as a starter when he made his pro debut.

[IanRubbish]

Great trade.

Ford had a .408 on base at AAA, and unlike Keibert, he knows how to take a pitch.

We'll see about the defense but this is exactly the kind of patient bat this lineup has been missing, while it has allowed opposing pitchers to rack up far fewer pitches than the Nats starters.  Tyrannosaurus Rizzo would never have done this, good job Toboni.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I would love to get CJ out of the leadoff spot.

I couldn't care less about stolen bases. If they mattered, we'd have a top 5 offense. I need someone who can frame, make ABS challenges, and block well.

the zero passed balls in AAA is an upgrade over what Adams / Ruiz / Millas have done.

[Count Walewski]

Wow. Imagine what Gore could bring in this market for pitching.

[imref]

Baseball Trade Values:

The deal is tentatively accepted by our model as a major overpay by Seattle, pending Lyon's addition.