After drawing praise on Saturday, could new Washington Nationals catcher Harry Ford materialize into a starter in 2026?
The Washington Nationals have been active to start 2026 with already seven waiver claims, including a handful who were already designated for assignments just days later. The notable move of the offseason officially materialized last month after the front office officially pulled the trigger on a MacKenzie Gore trade,, but maybe as impactful of a trade, at least in 2026, materialized the month prior after adding another top-100 prospect. He also drew praise during the 2026 Hot Stove for season ticket holders on Saturday.
Maybe the Nationals' most intriguing offseason acquisition is catcher Harry Ford, who was one of two prospects in the return haul from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for closer Jose Ferrar. Washington graded favorably after the trade with ESPN noting that Ford "projects more as a solid regular than a future star, but he should be a significant upgrade at a position that saw the Nationals rank 29th in the majors in OPS."
One outlet projected an answer for the Nationals at first base ahead of Opening Day in the only surprise in the projected starting lineup in 2026, but Ford is one who Toboni noted will compete for the starting catcher job alongside Keibert Ruiz, who was limited to just 68 games in 2025 after battling recurring symptoms from a concussion suffered on July 6. President of baseball operations Paul Toboni noted that there are still areas of growth for Ford, he also added the team will "put no limits" on him with clear optimism after capitalizing on the chance to add another young piece who can factor into the future.
“Candidly, I think one of the only reasons we were able to make that trade is because the Mariners probably have the best catcher in all of baseball with Cal Raleigh," Toboni added on Saturday.
Ford will suit up elsewhere before heading to Washington with Ford previously confirming he will suit up for Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic set to begin on March 3.
Whether the Nationals make any other notable trades ahead of Opening Day remains to be seen, though Toboni once again threw fire on the trade smoke surrounding shortstop CJ Abrams and outfielder Jacob Young after a previous report pointed to the team "shopping" both following the MacKenzie Gore trade. So for now, Ford enters the 2026 season as the third-highest ranked prospect in the Nationals farm system behind shortstop Elli Willits, who ranks 13th by MLB.com, and right handed pitcher Travis Sykora, who ranks 54th in the same rankings.
A former first-round pick in 2021 who has remained a constant inside the top 100 prospect rankings for three seasons now, Ford enters his tenure as a National with a career .405 on-base percentage, .832 OPS and 92 stolen bases across 454 minor league games in five seasons.
Drew Millas also returns in 2026 to add to the depth while Riley Adams accepted his assignment to Triple-A Rochester last week, but with Ruiz's injury history, Ford adds optimism behind the plate starting in 2026. Whether that leads to a change in the starting lineup under first-year manager Blake Butera remains to be seen.