WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A random Saturday afternoon in March of 2026 offered a glimpse of what the Nationals could see on the field years down the road.
With 20-year-old left-hander Alex Clemmey starting and 23-year-old Harry Ford behind the plate in a Major League exhibition against the Marlins, it was a potential battery of the future.
“I thought they were great,” manager Blake Butera said. “It’s never easy catching somebody for the first time like that. They worked well together, it was awesome.”
The Nationals had an open day in the starting rotation -- Clemmey and Ford met for the first time about two hours before the noon game. This spring, Clemmey is in Minor League camp. Saturday was Ford’s first game back since playing for Team Britain in the World Baseball Classic.
“He’s great,” said Clemmey. “I saw he did really well in the WBC. From Seattle, I heard a lot of good things about him. It was great to finally put a face to a name and throw to him, so I’m excited for what the future holds.”
Ford, ranked as the Nationals No. 3 prospect (MLB No. 71), debuted last September with the Mariners. He appeared in eight games before being traded to the Nationals for Jose A. Ferrer in December. He is contending for the No. 2 catcher spot in Spring Training.
Clemmey (No. 11) also was a trade acquisition, coming over from Cleveland in the 2024 Lane Thomas deal. He advanced to Double-A Harrisburg last season, and MLB Pipeline projects his debut in 2027.
The pair worked together for 50 pitches across three hitless innings. Clemmey recorded two strikeouts and issued one walk, allowing two unearned runs.
“He pounded the zone, did a really good job getting ahead of hitters -- obviously didn’t allow a hit,” said Butera. “It was awesome.”
Clemmey said he kept the same routine to prepare for this game as he would a Minor League start. He worked a slider, four-seam fastball, sinker and changeup.
“His slider is good,” Ford said. “It plays well off of his fastballs because it’s not so big to where it pops out compared to the other ones. It really blends in well. I think he did a good job using it.”
While Ford is learning his new pitching staff inside the Nationals clubhouse, Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Marlins was also an opportunity to become familiar with someone he could play with in the future.
“It’s helpful, because you never know during the season who gets called up, and a lot of the times you just haven’t had the chance to catch someone,” Ford said. “So it’s always helpful, no matter what. It’s always nice getting good looks at the guys.”
The Nationals also tabbed No. 1 prospect (MLB No. 13) Eli Willits to start at shortstop, with CJ Abrams and Nasim Nuñez both having the day off.
“We want guys to come over [from Minor League camp],” said Butera. “The more we can get our eyes on them, the more they get familiar with our staff -- pitching in a stadium like this in a Major League game, I think it’s only good for them. We welcome it.”