WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Harry Ford is a new catcher in Washington, D.C. Paul Taboni’s first major trade as Washington’s general manager came on December 6, 2025, when he sent relief pitcher José Ferrer to Seattle in exchange for the promising 23-year-old catching prospect and right-handed hitter Harry Ford.
Currently ranked No. 2 on Washington’s Top 30 Prospects list and No. 42 overall by MLB Pipeline, Ford was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the first round as the 12th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. He began his professional career right after the draft, steadily progressing through each level of the minors. Last season, he reached Triple-A Tacoma, where he impressed enough to earn a September call-up. Ford appeared in eight games for the Mariners, logging six at-bats with one hit and one RBI while backing up Cal Raleigh.
Internationally, Ford is a standout as well. If you follow the World Baseball Classic, you’ll recognize him as the captain of Team Great Britain, a team he’ll once again represent when the tournament begins in March.
Ford’s offensive numbers in the minors are impressive. Over nearly 1,700 career at-bats, he’s shown excellent plate discipline and consistent gap power. In 2025, Ford recorded 172 total bases in 97 games—a strong showing that reflects his ability to hit for both average and power. He finished last season with a .283 batting average, a .408 on-base percentage (OBP), and an .868 OPS. Across five minor league seasons, his OBP sits at an outstanding .405. Ford has compiled 98 doubles, 10 triples, and 52 home runs, posting a 22% strikeout rate balanced by an elite 17% walk rate—a -5% differential that highlights his strong command of the strike zone. Simply put, Harry Ford finds ways to get on base.
Defensively, Ford has also proven reliable. He has caught nearly 500 minor league games with a .987 fielding percentage and has thrown out 23.3% of attempted base stealers. While caught stealing rates can depend heavily on pitcher performance, Ford’s consistency stands out. He has allowed just 30 passed balls across his career, averaging roughly one every 12 games.
On paper, Paul Taboni’s decision to acquire Harry Ford appears to be an excellent move. Ford’s steady development, advanced hitting approach, and leadership qualities make him one of the most exciting young players in Washington’s system. With Keibert Ruiz and Drew Millas also in the mix, the Nationals will enter 2026 with strong competition and depth behind the plate.