2021 First round pick: Harry Ford, C (High School, GA), 12th overall pick
After selecting college level pitchers in the first round three years in a row, the Mariners selected high school catcher Harry Ford with the 12th overall pick in the 2021 draft. Ford currently is the second ranked prospect and 23rd overall ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. He is currently in AA Arkansas, playing in his age 21 season.
While Ford may not have made his Major League debut quite yet, He was the lone bright spot in the World Baseball Classic for Great Britain in 2023. He opened a lot of eyes with his plate discipline so far through the minors, which translates to his high on base percentage (.407) in his minor league career.
Ford's value may not come from him in a Mariners uniform. The Mariners are currently in first place but have glaring holes in their lineup, and Ford may be traded to bring in Major League talent. There are only a handful of teams who have their catcher for the future, but Ford has recently been playing games in left field, showcasing that he is more than just a catcher. If the Mariners hang onto him, he would be a great value to the team's bench. Remember Austin Nola? He played all over the diamond, but was also great behind the plate.
Only two All-Stars are from this draft class, both Jackson Merrill of the San Diego Padres and Mason Miller of the Oakland Athletics are first time All-Star's this year. But with what we have seen from Ford already, I think the Mariners did very well with selecting him with the 12th pick, and I will give this pick an A.