Harry Ford Jr. gives great hope to the future and legacy of MLBbro catchers. He’s another in a long line of talented Black prospects that the Seattle Mariners organization has drafted over the years. The Mariners are coming off a 90-72 season which saw them make the playoffs for the first time since 2001. 

It was just their fifth postseason appearance in franchise history (47 seasons), with the bulk of those appearances coming in the mid-to-late 1990s during Ken Griffey Jr. and Randy “Big Unit” Johnson’s tenure. Last season’s ALDS loss wasn’t a total surprise as they did lose to the eventual World Series champion Houston Astros. In the end, it was a feeling these new-look Mariners hope to continue to have come late September and early October during the MLB season.

 

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Harry Ford Joins Julio Rodriguez As Another Future Cornerstone Piece

 

Led by 22-year-old slugger Julio Rodriguez and MLBbro Gold Glove shortstop JP Crawford, the “Emerald City” believes they’re here to stay, and baseball is once again a joy to watch. While Rodriguez signals the right now, first-round pick Harry Ford symbolizes the future. Very soon, their destinies will merge and together they will help lead the franchise. 

Ford, the Mariners’ No.1 ranked prospect is only 20, but the team believes he’ll be ready for a call-up in 2025. That’s pretty amazing considering he’s just two years removed from playing high school games.

 

Ford Has Shined At High-A Everett

 

Ford shined in his minor league season-opener, going 3-5 with three singles and two RBI in a come-from-behind extra innings 4-3 win. Most impressive was Ford’s ability to hit the baseball to all parts of the field. He also threw out a base runner showing his fielding prowess and strong arm.

 

 

Ford’s play caught the attention of Mariners’ director of player development Justin Toole, who told reporters this about the franchise’s top prospect.

“Harry’s athleticism was on full display, and you saw a little bit of everything he can do.”

This season Ford has a current slash line of .265/.446/.475 with three home runs 12 RBI and five stolen bases in 17 games. The No.46 prospect in MLB’s Pipeline hit 11 dingers with 65 RBI and also had thefts last season for Low-A Fresno, routinely flashing his power and elite base stealing prowess.

 

Ford Was Bro Bombing In WBC

 

While Great Britain didn’t make the WBC, it wasn’t for lack of effort by Ford, who bashed three homers and drove in eight runs during the qualifying rounds. His display of power and plate presence threw fear into opposing pitchers from all over the world.

 

 

That and his opening night performance drew more praise from Toole.

“There’s a lot to like about him as a player and a person,” Toole said. “And it was good to see all the work he’s been putting in show up on Opening Night. Really happy for him to get off to that kind of start.”

Ford has continued to play well, and it shouldn’t be long before he’s off to Double-A ball as the team ramps up his preparation to join the Mariners in early 2025, maybe even for Opening Day.