Mack's spin -
Ford seems to have it all... insane speed, great arm, + defense, and a power bat. Still, we have to throw up our usual warning for picking a high school battery mate. Most just don't work out.
Still, it will be hard to pass on this projected talent.
A definite first round pick.
C 5-10 200 North Cobb HS (GA)
2-17-21 - Bleed Cubbie Blue -
The Georgia prep catcher Harry Ford would make for an interesting discussion, if on the board at 21. Catcher in three or four years might not seem an organizational weakness, but Ford seems flexible enough to go elsewhere, as needed. Time spent researching potential choices at 21 both relaxes you on the likelihood of quality there, and screams that the likely quality doesn't stop anywhere near 21. Which is why it's useful to follow a college team until MLB season starts. More teams than you might think are bringing 97 or higher out of the bullpen, late. Oh, to harness some command, as well.
2-15-21 - CBS - Top 50 -
22. Harry Ford, C, North Cobb HS (GA)
Prep catchers, like their batterymates, should come affixed with a warning label about their attrition risk. While the jury is out on more recent selections, the last high-school catcher to produce more than 10 Wins Above Replacement for their career was Neil Walker (2004); Joe Mauer, picked in 2001, was the last to have a productive career as a backstop. Someone someday is going to change that. Ford, blessed with twitchiness and innate hand-eye skills, is a compelling candidate to do it. He's going to require developmental work on both ends (his hands have a tendency to separate during his load) but there's a lot of upside here, perhaps in a Daulton Varsho-like capacity.
1-26-21 - BA -
24. Harry Ford, C, North Cobb HS, Kennesaw, Ga.
Areas To Improve: Refine catcher defense, prove hit tool
Ford is the unicorn of the 2021 draft as an exceptionally athletic catcher who could probably play any position on the diamond with enough time. Scouts believe that athleticism will allow him to handle the physical demands of catching, but want to see him refine the detailed areas of the defensive game to pair it with above-average arm strength. Ford has also shown electric bat speed and an ability to do damage all around the zone, but a longer stride makes some evaluators wonder if he will run into timing issues at the next level. Admittedly, we are picking nits with Ford, but given the track record of high school catching he’ll need to excel in all phases this spring to up his stock.
1-20-21 - prospect live -
#21
Chicago Cubs
Harry Ford
C, North Cobb
If the 2020 draft and Yu Darvish trade return are any indications, Chicago is looking for highest upside players it can find, regardless of age or ETA. Harry Ford might be the most talented player on the board at this point. He's become the clear front runner for top prep C in the class thanks to some extremely impressive athleticism and loud tools. A true plus runner, Ford has been showcasing a budding power bat that led the showcase circuit in homers in 2020. Ford has the athleticism and glove to stick behind the plate long term, but the overall toolset would play anywhere on the diamond. It's a high upside pick late in the first round for a Cubs system in the midst of what appears to be a step-back, rebuild.
1-14-21 - Baseball America
Harry Ford
North Cobb HS, Kennesaw, Ga. C
Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 187 | B-T: R-R
Commit/Drafted: Georgia Tech
Age At Draft: 18.4
Ford is one of the top players in the 2021 class, and he’s also among the better athletes of the group. Scouts praise his explosive athleticism and believe that will allow him to stick behind the plate long term, though he has impressive infield actions as well and some think he could also handle center field. Ford has more than enough arm for the position, with at least above-average throwing ability, and is mobile and light on his feet with all the mental and leadership traits that scouts want to see from a catcher. As a hitter, Ford has a solid history of showing feel for the barrel, with above-average bat speed and strength that comes from a well-developed frame and twitchy actions. Some evaluators believe he is more power over hit with a low handset that could help him leverage his swing for long fly balls. Unlike most catchers, Ford is an easy plus runner—he clocked the second-fastest 60-yard time at East Coast Pro at 6.42 seconds—and could move to a number of positions if necessary in the future. The 5-foot-10, 187-pound backstop is committed to catching pipeline Georgia Tech.
12-26-20 - Baseball Prospect Journal Mock Draft 1.0 -
24. Atlanta Braves: Harry Ford, C, North Cobb (Ga.) HS
Ford has outstanding athleticism for a catcher. He has above-average arm strength and quick actions behind the plate. He also has the leadership traits teams seek in a catcher and has called his own games since freshman year. Those skills have scouts to also project Ford in center field. Over the last year, Ford has improved his offensive skills.
12-25-20 - https://medium.com/minor-league-madhouse/2021-mlb-mock-draft-3
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals surprised many this year by taking two-way player Masyn Winn in the draft, and while it may be more of an aberration than a trend, if they do continue they could potentially nab another versatile prepster right where he should land. Harry Ford could be the next uber catching prospect headed to Georgia Tech, but unlike Kevin Parada, it’s more likely he’ll be picked. Ford may be a prep catcher, but he is toolsy and positionally versatile, with scouts thinking he could play middle infield, or even outfielder. His speed almost certainly necessitates a move from behind the plate, and his bat will definitely be better served there as well. He’s a masher with top tier bat speed and would fit well with the Cardinal playing style.
12-18-20 - Future Sox Mock Draft -
28. Tampa Bay Rays: Harry Ford, C, North Cobb HS (GA)
Ford is young for the class and currently plays catcher in Georgia. The low hit rate on prep catchers is a real concern, but this athlete could move to second base, third base or any of the outfield spots in the future. He might possess the best bat speed in the 2021 prep class. Ford also has plus speed and makes consistent loud contact in games.
12-3-20 - Perfect Game combined their picks for the first two rounds in this mock draft -
10. New York Mets | James Wood, OF, IMG Academy | (2/39) Harry Ford, C, North Cobb
The Mets like to swing big, and they certainly swung for the fences with some high ceiling players in their first two picks. James Wood comes off the board early thanks to his massive frame and huge power upside. Harry Ford is another tooled-up prep standout that has enough athleticism to be an above average defender behind the plate or in the outfield. The Mets have drafted a high schooler in the first round seven times in the past ten years, and we see that trend continuing this year. -Cade Schares
Sakowski's Take: Two of the more intriguing prep prospects on the circuit this summer, Wood at one point looked like he might be the best prep bat in the class before cooling off in the fall, while Ford is one of the most interesting profiles in the class. Wood has something of a class lefthanded-hitting, power-driven right field profile with absurd power projection, while Ford's athleticism, potential both behind the plate and in center field, and feel to hit with power stand out and give him one of the more unique profiles in this class.
11-24-20 - Prospects Worldwide Mock Draft -
27. C Harry Ford
School: North Cobb HS, GA | Commit: Georgia Tech | B/T: R/R | Ht: 5’10 | Wt: 200lbs | Age: 18.2
This is not an everyday profile. Harry Ford offers a rare combination of Speed (60/55), Power (55), defensive ability, and overall athleticism at the catcher position just 1 professional catcher possesses. That would be JT Realmuto. There is easy 25 HR Power in his bat with a strong Vertical Bat Angle (VBA), electric bat speed and solid pitch recognition that should allow him to draw walks at a 10-12% rate.
The Above-Average (55) to potential Plus Defense behind the plate comes with the ability to navigate lineups and help his pitchers through starts without their best stuff. Ford has the skillset, athleticism and ability behind the plate to stick long-term at the next level. But shows the athleticism, speed, arm, and overall package to see playing time in the OF and even 3B if needed, similar to a Dalton Varsho or Dillon Dingler. Athletic Catchers who can provide solid Defense with a high offensive ceiling are not common.
3 comments:
Ford would be an interesting gamble.
I would love him to fall to our 2nd pick
The entire Mets world would love to see this kid as a second round pick, but I can’t see how he would make it that far. The nice thing is while many teams laid off their entire scouting staff, the Mets never did.
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