Top Mariners prospect looks determined to silence his loudest critics

Harry Ford has been at the top of the Seattle Mariners' farm system ever since he was drafted 12th overall in 2021. The backstop's professional career got off to a great start, but he hit his first slight roadblock in 2024 after posting a .745 OPS in Double-A.

It wasn't enough to completely derail the hype train, but it did negatively affect his perceived value. To make matters worse, Cal Raleigh's nine-figure extension that puts him under team control for the next six years caused some to discuss the possibility of Ford being traded to clear up Seattle's positional logjam at catcher.

Yet in his first year at Triple-A, it seems like Ford has taken it upon himself to prove that he still has what it takes.

Harry Ford has gotten off to a strong start in his first year with Triple-A Tacoma

Across his first 127 plate appearances with the Rainiers, he has slashed .297/.433/.416 for a .849 OPS, a marked improvement over his numbers last year. Aside from walking more and striking out less, it seems like his power is also returning. In a recent outing against the Albuquerque Isotopes, he hit two doubles and a home run to drive in three RBI.

Defensively, he has also looked much better, especially at limiting the run game. In 2024, he caught just 16 runners on 85 stolen base attempts. In 2025, he has already caught nine runners on 27 total attempts.

Having a strong 2025 campaign will be imperative for deciding Ford's future with the organization. While many of his fellow prospects have continued to rise the ranks of various lists, he has gradually gone in the wrong direction. The biggest concern has been whether his power can translate to higher levels of competition, something he failed to do last year. His .367 slugging percentage in Double-A was significantly lower than the .430 mark he posted in High-A.

Despite all the news about his struggles, he's still the Mariners' No. 5 prospect at MLB Pipeline for a reason. Although he had a noticeable decrease in his slash line in 2024, his wRC+ has remained consistent for all four minor league seasons, ranging between 130 and 134. With a more mature and confident approach at the plate, there's no reason why he wouldn't be able to tap into the natural power he so clearly possesses against even the toughest talent on the mound.

Seattle will always need a backup catcher, given the physical toll of the position. If Raleigh remains as durable as he has been and the organization doesn't have quite enough room on the depth chart for a player of Ford's quality, he can always net other prospects in the form of a trade, something that was being actively discussed this past winter.

Whether this year's success translates to a vibrant career with the Mariners or a bounty of prospects down the line, it will be an impactful benefit to the organization that drafted him.