Harry Ford, Seattle Mariners prospect, ranks 4th in MLB Pipelines Top 10 catchers heading into 2024
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – Ahead of the Spring Training and the 2024 season, catching prospect Harry Ford has been named within MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 at his position, coming in at the number four spot. Seen as the catcher of the future for the Mariners, Ford has shown year by year some of the great tools that he possesses as he continues to move forward with his game and develop his performance more and more, getting some national recognition here from MLB Pipeline. It’s fun to see where they think that Ford stacks up in regard to other catching prospects, and to also look forward to Ford’s upcoming season.
Everett AquaSox catcher Harry Ford during the teams August 20th, 2023 game. (Photos by Rio Giancarlo)
What they highlighted for Harry
Ford’s athleticism, specifcally his speed, was highlighted as the best amongst his other catchers within the Top 10. Considering his versatility when he was drafted, being listed as a catcher/outfielder, it isn’t necessarily a surprise to see that Harry has a strong speed tool and that it’s highlighted by the folks at MLB Pipeline. While he’s got solid tools elsewhere, his athleticism is surely something that stuck out for the Mariners front office when he was drafted, and it’s something that those around baseball have noticed already as he had his first season in single-A ball.
“Unusual for a catcher, Ford possesses legitimate plus speed and has swiped 50 bases in 63 attempts (79 percent) in 241 pro games. His athleticism has prompted comparisons to Craig Biggio, who spent the first four big league seasons of his Hall of Fame career behind the plate.”
Where might he land next season?
Ford stayed in Everett all season, and to some it was surprising that the catcher didn’t move up within the Mariners minor league system. In every season that Harry has been within Seattle’s system, he’s moved up and that’s what we expect to see of him when we begin the 2024 baseball season, meaning he’d join the Arkansas Travelers in double-A ball. Given the skillset he possesses, while still somewhat working on improving his overall game at the plate, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Ford climb up a few levels even if he hasn’t had “otherworldly” seasons in the Mariners system so far. His ability to draw walks, his speed on the base paths, and his growing prowess behind the plate can help him move up through the system, but he doesn’t necessarily need to. With Cal Raleigh (hopefully) holding things down behind the plate for the big-league club, I don’t imagine that the Mariners organization is hoping to hurry Ford along to have him back up Big Dumper.
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Check out our previous Everett AquaSox articles here.
Check out our previous CSS Futures articles here.
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Cover photo by Liv Lyons.
Check out our previous articles written by Charles Hamaker here.