Mariners prospects Ford and Clase have quiet Futures Game, but continue to grow
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – In the city and ballpark that they hope to call home one day, Seattle Mariners prospects Harry Ford and Jonatan Clase took part in their first ever MLB Futures Game amidst their strong Minor League seasons within the organizations farm system. While neither player was able to get a base hit in the ballgame, both hard strong days in their respective fielding positions. Representing the hosting team during the event, Ford and Clase look to play a role in Seattle’s future eventually, but for now were able to take the event in and appreciate the recognition that they were given by being invited to the competition.
Seattle Mariners top prospect and catcher Harry Ford’s 2023 MLB Futures game through pictures (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)
Ford starts behind the dish
Sir Harry Ford, coming off his impressive performance at the World Baseball Classic and sitting currently as the top prospect in Seattle’s farm system, began this game for the American League team as the starting catcher. Due to the nature of events such as the Futures game, as we’ve seen in the HBCU Swingman Classic and like we’ll see in the All-Star game, Ford had to share time with the other prospects that were present. In the bottom of the third inning, Ford was replaced by pinch hitter and fellow catcher Edgar Quero, who would ground out to end the inning.
Defensively, you can look at the fact that there were no wild pitches or passed balls when Ford was behind the dish. It’s a somewhat minor but solid sign in terms of his defensive play. In his lone plate appearance on the day, he was able to display his solid eye at the plate somewhat as he only swung at strikes, taking two balls. Ford was unable to fully barrel up a fastball in the middle of the plate, striking out as his foul ball was caught to complete the strikeout. Not the biggest mark made on the game, but it’s tough to judge given the lone plate appearance and the couple of innings behind the plate.
Seattle Mariners 11th overall prospect and 2nd overall outfielder prospect Jonatan Clase during the 2023 MLB Futures game (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)
Clase struggles at the plate, stars in center
For Jonatan Clase, Seattle’s eleventh overall prospect and second overall outfielder prospect, his big moments came more in centerfield as opposed to in the batter's box. While Clase, whose strong hitting numbers and play earned him a promotion from Everett to Arkansas, wasn’t able to make a splash with his bat he sure made some noise with his glove. In a bases loaded situation in the top of the second inning, Philadelphia Phillies prospect Justin Crawford hit a drooping liner into shallow center. Clase dove towards it to make the snag, and while the National League team did push a run across, the catch ensured that they weren’t able to get more than that. It was a stunning catch that showed the quality glove he’s continued to develop as well as the incredible speed grade he’s displayed as Seattle’s fastest prospect, at least until Felnin Celesten really gets going.
Clase had two plate appearances on the day, striking out in both to complete the trio of strikeouts for Ford and himself. On his first of the two, Clase was attempting to dig out pitches that were hanging around the bottom of the zone, striking out on Phillies prospect Mick Abel’s slider that he was caught looking at. In his second, Giants pitching prospect Carson Whisenhunt painted the zone, getting Clase to strike out on a changeup just along the right-hand side of the zone to begin a stellar Futures Game for Whisenhunt. Similar to what I said with Ford, given the limited opportunities at the plate and in the field, it’s tough to really take much stock in a mediocre or subpar performance in the Futures game. But that diving catch in center really does stick out for Clase.
Several former Seattle Mariners were named as coaches to the teams, including Mike Cameron, Jamie Moyer, Harold Reynolds, and Randy Johnson, amongst others (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)
Former M’s prospect has solid showing
Current Reds prospect, former Seattle Mariner prospect before becoming part of the Luis Castillo trade last season, Noelvi Marte didn’t record a hit in the ballgame like Ford and Clase, but was able to reach base on a fielder's choice as Baltimore Orioles prospect Jackson Holliday was thrown out at second base. After Pirates prospect Endy Rodriguez drew a walk to push Marte to third base, Noelvi put himself into scoring position for the National League as he stole third base. Brewers prospect Jeferson Quero singled to left field, scoring Marte as he represented the first run that his team scored in the ballgame. In his next plate appearance, Marte struck out as he chased a slider outside of the zone. He was later replaced in the bottom of the fifth as a defensive substitution by Nationals prospect Brady House.
What’s next?
For these two prospects, it’s likely a few years before we will see them really get close to contributing at the big-league level for the Mariners. Ford and Clase will continue to enjoy their All-Star weekend and no doubt get some valuable lessons from former Mariners that are present for the events, before Ford rejoins the Everett Aquasox who are currently sitting at second place in the Northwest League, two games behind the Vancouver Canadians. For Clase, he’ll head back to an Arkansas Travelers team that was named the first-half champions of the Texas League North and currently sit atop the division in the second half through eleven games.