Harry Ford Finally Joins Mariners After June Tease Left Him Waiting

TAMPA, Fla -- Harry Ford thought this day would be earlier.

Back on June 27, the Mariners added their top catching prospect to the taxi squad, putting him on the cusp of his big league debut. He suited up and prepared as if the moment might come. It didn’t happen. 

But for Ford, the experience was a positive one. 

“I mean, it was hard for a moment, you know,” Ford said Monday. “I mean, it was really exciting. It was more just like you’re really excited and feeling brought up, and then, like, to go back, it was more hard just knowing that my family was all there and like … my dad flew from England, you know, that was the only, like, tougher part.

“But it ended up being really a blessing,” Ford continued, “because my whole family got to hang out for two days, and I got to be around them. And we ended up driving back to Round Rock, so it turned out to be really amazing.”

Maybe it was a dry run for this week. Ford was added to the roster before Monday night’s series opener against the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. 

The moment made clear how close he was. “Yeah, it was definitely eye-opening, realizing, like, man… that was Mitch. Mitch got a foul ball, you know? It was like, damn it really is like that close, you know.”

Ranked No. 40 overall by MLB Pipeline, Ford just has to wonder when, not if,, he will make his debut.  As rosters expanded Monday, he was promoted, carrying a .283 average, .868 OPS, 16 homers and 74 RBIs from Triple-A Tacoma.

With Cal Raleigh entrenched as Seattle’s starter, Ford’s path isn’t about replacing anyone just yet. It’s about adding depth, getting his feet wet, and showing fans that his climb from top pick in 2021 to future cornerstone has nearly reached its finish line.