The Nationals are planning to promote catching prospect Harry Ford to the Majors after the All-Star break, a source told MLB.com’s Jessica Camerato. The club hasn’t confirmed the news.
Ford is expected to replace Drew Millas on the active roster after the latter goes on the IL with a fractured left index finger. Millas and Keibert Ruiz have split playing time behind the plate fairly evenly this season, with a slight edge to Ruiz.
Washington acquired Ford, the club’s No. 7 prospect per MLB Pipeline, from the Mariners with pitcher Isaac Lyon in a trade for lefty reliever Jose A. Ferrer last December.
COMPLETE NATIONALS PROSPECT COVERAGE
Ford, a former MLB Pipeline Top 100 overall prospect, has posted a .223/.370/.335 slash with four homers over 58 games for Triple-A Rochester this season. However, he’s been much better of late, recording an .860 OPS over his past 33 games -- up from a .509 OPS through his first 25 games.
Selected 12th overall by the Mariners in the 2021 MLB Draft out of high school, Ford made his MLB debut with Seattle last September and appeared in eight games, going 1-for-6 with three strikeouts. He also singled as a pinch-hitter in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Blue Jays, his lone appearance of the 2025 postseason.
The 23-year-old Ford will join a Washington club looking to get back on track after going 9-14 in its final 23 games before the All-Star break. The Nats, who were 39-35 before that stretch, are currently four games out in the NL Wild Card race at 48-49.