Mariners prospect might already be doomed to become the next Harry Ford

Harry Ford wasn't traded by the Mariners for failing to live up to expectations. In most cases, his minor league career and prospect pedigree would make him a promising big-league backstop. Unfortunately, he was drafted by the only MLB team whose starting catcher is both on a long-term extension and has the ability to be a legitimate candidate for MVP.

Thus, Ford was traded because he was too good to be a backup. But just as soon as he left, Seattle is seemingly bound to run into the same issue once again with Luke Stevenson.

Luke Stevenson has had an incredible start to his career, but there's no room for him on the roster

Drafted 35th overall out of UNC in 2025, Stevenson may come across as a surprising pick for some. After all, he was selected well after Raleigh had signed his extension. However, like many front offices, Seattle likely opted to take the best player available at the time regardless of position.

Since joining the organization, Stevenson has put up impressive numbers in the minors, posting a 154 wRC+ in Single-A last year and getting off to a hot start in High-A, hitting to a 227 wRC+.

He's already Seattle's No. 8 prospect, but will undoubtedly rise through the ranks as he continues to develop and other prospects graduate out. His ETA is currently 2028, but there's a chance he could debut sooner, as long as it's not with the Mariners.

If he stays his current course, he'll be even better than Harry Ford. There were plenty of valid criticisms about Ford as he reached the upper levels of the minors and the Nationals have him starting the year in Triple-A despite their starting catcher, Keibert Ruiz, posting -1.0 fWAR last year. On the other hand, Stevenson has been noted by scouts as having a more developed defensive skillset and has already shown more offensive upside than Ford, who never posted a wRC+ higher than 135 past the complex league.

At this point, Stevenson's realistic future with the franchise is as a trade piece. It's a better outcome for the organization, who will use whatever they get in exchange for his services to fill a position of need, and the player, who will have a real shot at being a major league mainstay. Hopefully, whatever transaction he ends up being a part of nets a more compelling return than Harry Ford's trade has thus far.

While Stevenson holds onto all of his club control and remains a reasonable age, the Mariners will be able to keep him in the minor leagues without much worry. There's no need to rush into striking a deal, even if his stock is on the rise, especially since the team's roster needs aren't actually clear right now.

What is clear is that Seattle has one of the best catchers in baseball on their payroll until 2031, even if he doesn't look the part right now, and subsequent depth at that position will have to settle for playing second fiddle or find another team.

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