Everett Aquasox Offense Takes off with Clase, Ford
11 – 9 (2nd in Northwest League)
Top-hitting prospect Harry Ford came into this season with a lot of buzz, but that happens when you perform well above your age (in Single-A) and springboard into a career-altering experience in the World Baseball Classic. Ford started this season in Everett and scuffled over the first few weeks (.172/.415/.656), but he's flipped a switch and is displaying the plate discipline and bat-to-ball skills scouts rave about.
All the talk about Ford is understandable, but outfielder Jonatan Clase is the current headliner. The switch-hitting outfielder has garnered consecutive High A Player of the Week awards while flashing a tantalizing power (50 grade) and speed (70 grade) combination.
Clase's start in Everett is off the charts (.337/.455/.723) and will probably springboard him to Arkansas by midseason. Fun fact: One hitter in the minors has 5+ HR and 10+ SB, and he's 20 at High-A: Jonatan Clase, Mariners (6 HR, 14 SB)—also one of 79 bats with 15+ walks.
Another player to keep an eye on is corner infielder Tyler Locklear. In this order, he is getting plenty of run-producing opportunities with Clase and Ford ahead of him. He is also playing spectacular defense at first, which bodes well for the position's future at the big-league level.
The Frogs' pitchers are keeping them in ball games, led by starter Reid VanScoter. He leads the starters in multiple pitching categories, including WHIP (0.95) and BAA (.147). Ace Juan Mercedes and relief ace Jorge Benitez parlayed solid starts to their 2023 seasons into promotions to the Arkansas.