After 'shocking' trade to Nats, Ford ready to compete for starting job

ORLANDO -- Before catcher Harry Ford traveled across the pond to visit his family, he learned he was going to be playing baseball across the United States with a new Major League team.

Ford, 22, was home in Georgia when he got the call that he was traded from the Mariners to the Nationals for right-hander Jose A. Ferrer in a three-player deal.

TRADE DETAILS
Mariners acquire: LHP Jose A. Ferrer
Nationals acquire: C Harry Ford (No. 2 prospect), RHP Isaac Lyon (unranked)

“It was shocking,” Ford said from Oxford, England, on a Zoom Monday morning. “But I’m ready to do it with this team as well.”

In Paul Toboni’s first trade as Nationals president of baseball operations, the Nats acquired Ford and righty prospect Isaac Lyon in exchange for their Ferrer on Saturday.

“It was pretty clear to us that they were in the market for a higher leverage reliever,” Toboni said. “It wasn’t like we were sitting there looking to trade Jose. At the same time, when we were presented with this opportunity, it was like, 'OK, this is something we should pretty strongly consider.' I think it’s one of those, I would say, rare moves that I think we’re going to look up four, five years down the line and say, this was really a great trade for both teams.”

A 2021 first-round Draft pick out of high school, the Mariners were the only organization Ford had known. Ranked as MLB’s No. 42 overall prospect, Ford had spent most of that time developing in the Minor Leagues. He made his big league debut on Sept. 5 and appeared in eight games as a September callup.

But on a championship-contending club headlined by MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh, there wasn’t a path for Ford to earn regular playing time. Still, the sudden departure caught him by surprise.

“It hit me pretty hard,” Ford said. “They called me, and I was OK. Then I was with my mom, and I was pretty sad just about all I've known as the Mariners and the relationships and the people that have been around there. It definitely hit hard knowing I’m not going to see them anymore, or consistently.”

Ford comes to a Nationals team where he will be around many familiar faces. He played with Dylan Crews, Brady House, Daylen Lile, Nasim Nuñez and James Wood.

“Everyone's really fresh and on the up and coming,” Ford said. “I'm excited to be around some grinders and some dudes that are ready to get after it.”

And on this young club, he will have the opportunity to contend for a consistent -- if not starting -- role behind the plate. Ford joins the backstop mix of Keibert Ruiz, Riley Adams and Drew Millas.

“We’re going to create a really competitive environment here and then we're going to roll forward with the guys that are going to help us win most, said Toboni. “The great thing about our catching group -- and I’d fold Harry right into this -- is I think they run toward that challenge, they don’t shy away from it, which is great.”

Starting catcher Ruiz, who is under contract through the 2030 season, was sidelined by concussions last season. In his 68 games played, Ruiz batted .247 with a .595 OPS and one caught stealing above average.

“I love that I’m going to get a chance to fight for a spot on the team,” Ford said. “I know the other catchers, Ruiz and [Riley] Adams, so I’m really glad and excited to get to work with them as well. But I am thankful for the chance to be, I guess, a little more in the conversation than in Seattle.”

This offseason, Ford plans to continue to tap into his athleticism to make improvements on both sides of the field. Last year, he batted .283 with 18 doubles, 16 home runs, 74 RBIs and seven stolen bases with Triple-A Tacoma.

“I'd say I'm pretty complete,” Ford said. “I'm not trying to look for walks and I'm not trying to look for homers. I have moments where I take my chances and I'm going to put a big swing on a 2-0 pitch here and there. But I'm just a gap-to-gap line drive hitter. I attribute the walks to me being able to wait late because I’ve got really fast hands so I can see the ball longer. But I just get on base. I find ways to get on base. That’s what I do.”

Ford also had a .984 fielding percentage and a 23 percent caught stealing rate. He has a continual focus on plate framing, blocking and throwing.

When Ford reports to Spring Training in West Palm Beach, Fla., and meets his new teammates, he hopes to share what he has learned from a veteran catching crew. Ford’s approach to being a teammate and catcher is “putting the guys above myself.”

“He’s an unbelievable kid,” Toboni said. “Dating back to high school, I got to know him really well then. He’s a stud athlete. There aren’t many catchers around the game that have this type of athleticism. Thirdly, he’s still really young … he’s still very much developing. I don’t think he’s close to what his potential might be.”