Harry Ford Talks Trade To Nationals, Growth As A Catcher, And A Fresh Start In D.C.

Harry Ford’s first day as being part of the Washington Nationals came with an ocean between him and his new home, but the 21-year-old catcher already sounds aligned with what Washington is trying to build. Speaking from Oxford, England, where he’s visiting family, Ford said he found out about the trade while back home in Georgia, recalling, “Right now I’m in Oxford, England, visiting my family, and I was back home in Georgia when I got called about it.”

The news landed hard. Ford admitted he was “pretty sad” when the call came, sitting with his mom and processing the fact that the only organization he had known as a pro had moved him. “All I’ve known is the Mariners and the relationships and people there,” he said. “It definitely hit hard knowing I’m not going to see them consistently anymore. The flight was fine for processing it, though.”

Despite that initial sting, Ford framed the move through the same faith that has guided his career to this point. He genuinely believed he would spend a long time in Seattle, in part because he saw it as part of a larger plan. “I really believe I was drafted there for a reason,” he explained. “My faith in God having a plan for each of us is really high, and that’s how I live my life. I truly believed God had a plan for me with the Mariners, that I was there to stay, and I was loyal to that until the end.” In the next breath, he pivoted to Washington, adding, “But I’m also really happy to be here with the Nats and get this opportunity. It was shocking, but I’m ready to do it with this team as well.”

That opportunity is a big part of why this landing spot appeals to him. Ford knows there is a scenario in which he grows into a major role behind the plate, both now and in the future, and he hasn’t shied away from that. “I’ve definitely thought about that and thought it through, and I love that I get a chance to fight for a spot on the team,” he said. At the same time, he stressed the appeal of joining an existing group, noting, “I know the other catchers like Ruiz and Adams, and I’m really excited to work with them as well. I’m thankful for the chance to be a little more in the conversation than in Seattle.”

If Ford sounds prepared for this next step, it’s in large part because of what he absorbed in Seattle. He repeatedly circled back to the impact of the Mariners’ catching group and staff on his development, describing how they reshaped him as a player and a person. “The Mariners organization as a whole has done so much for me, and the other catchers have completely changed who I am as a catcher, as a player, and as a person,” he said. He singled out Jacob Nottingham as someone who “made an impact on my career that I’ll never be able to repay,” and also mentioned catching coordinator Zach Livingston, “Scotty,” and “all the other guys” he worked with. “Spring training isn’t easy, the season isn’t easy, and everyone pushes each other all year,” Ford said. “I’m very thankful for those relationships.”

Those relationships also shaped how he approaches the most important part of his job: handling a pitching staff. Ford described Nottingham’s influence as foundational to how he plans to integrate in Washington. “The premise of what he taught me is caring—putting pitchers above yourself, caring about them as people and not just as players, and owning that responsibility,” Ford explained. He joked that he’ll probably still be calling Nottingham for help at times, but the core of the lesson is what he wants to bring with him: “It’s about caring and loving them as much as you can.”

Defensively, Ford believes he is on the right track while still seeing plenty of room to grow. He said he’s “looking forward” this offseason to sharpening specific skills — “framing, blocking, and throwing” — and emphasized that those areas are “always” going to be works in progress. What he’s most proud of from last year is less about receiving mechanics and more about the broader responsibilities of the position. “I think the best job I did, and that’s credit to my coaches and teammates, was learning how to work with the staff and do more of the ‘catcher things,’” he said. “I did well with the actual skill part of catching, but there are a lot of places to grow for sure.” His athleticism, which stands out for a catcher, feeds directly into that defensive profile. “Athleticism helps a ton in catching—being able to move side to side, get to tough balls, and put your body in the positions you need to as an athlete,” he said. “I see it most in catching.”

On the offensive side, Ford is coming off what he considers his best season, combining an uptick in power with his on-base skills. He credited the environment around him in Seattle as a major factor. “What worked really well for me was having coaches and players who believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself,” he said. “I can’t thank the Mariners enough. The people they bring in—players and coaches—are awesome and very encouraging. Having those people around helped a ton.” Another turning point was simply learning when to stop tinkering. “I also learned how to stop tinkering and just trust myself and trust that I’m a good player with God-given talent, and just go play, instead of trying to manufacture something every day,” he said.

Asked to define his offensive identity, Ford pushed back on being put in a single box. “I’d say I’m pretty complete,” he said. “I’m not looking for walks, and I’m not just looking for homers. I have moments where I take my chances and put a big swing on a 2–0 pitch. But I’m a gap-to-gap, line-drive hitter.” The walks, he explained, are a byproduct of his bat speed and pitch recognition. “I attribute the walks to being able to wait late because I’ve got really fast hands, so I can see the ball longer. I just find ways to get on base. That’s what I do.”

Ford has already had brief introductory conversations with members of the Nationals’ leadership group and has begun hearing from future teammates. He said he’s spoken once with both Paul and Blake about his first year in the organization, with more detailed talks expected later. Among players, one of the earliest messages came from one of the club’s other young building blocks. “Dylan Crews DM’d me,” Ford said, adding that he “redownloaded Instagram for a day” and hasn’t gone through everything yet. “I talked to Blake, the manager,” he added, expecting more outreach to roll in as he settles into his new situation.

The session also revealed a bit of his personality away from the field. Ford said he first picked up the saxophone in middle school and now plays more guitar, laughing that he could “still pick it up” if needed. As for his full name, he admitted that it rarely gets used. “Nobody calls me Harrison,” he said. “It’s just kind of there.”

Ultimately, the traits he wants to be known for in Washington are the same ones he admired in the veteran catchers he came up behind. Ford said his goal is to bring a “servant-leadership” approach into the Nationals’ clubhouse and pitching meetings. “My hope and desire is that I reflect those qualities of putting the guys above myself and walking in a servant-leadership style,” he said. “That applies to the scouting report, calling pitches in-game, and trying to lead them during games.” He pointed again to examples in Seattle — “Cal does a great job of that, Mitch does an awesome job, and a lot of guys in the minors do” — and made clear he wants to carry that standard into D.C. “We talked about that a lot,” he said. “I hope that’s something they see in me, and I pray that it is.”