2025 Draft Prospect - OF/1B - Henry Ford

 

https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2024/11/1/2025-mlb-draft-top-75-collegiate-prospects?s=03 –

HENRY FORD, OF/1B - virginia

Prospects Live Ranking - #8

Coming off an incredible freshman campaign, Ford will look to become the centerpiece of Virginia's 2025 offense.  Listed at 6'5" and 220 pounds, Ford showcases impressive bat-to-ball skills with an 87% zone contact rate with swift hands through the zone.  He sees off-speed very well, hitting .349/.425/.651 with 9 of his 17 total home runs coming against them.  The operation isn't sexy, but it certainly performs.  Ford has proven his ability to drive the baseball to all parts of the field, but his power to the pull side is well above-average.  Playing 56 of his 58 games defensively at first base, Henry displays sufficient defensive skills with good instincts when the ball is put in play, as he committed only three errors in 2024.  That said, Henry mentioned to our Monty Taylor how he plans to play right field for the Cavaliers in 2025, making the transition from infield to outfield an intriguing follow to keep tabs on.  Ultimately, it will come down to Ford's offensive prowess that determines how high he gets drafted this coming July.

 

https://virginiasports.com/player/henry-ford/ -

2024

• Hit a walk-off double in the bottom of the 10th to give UVA a 5-4 win over Wichita State in the opening game of Jax College Classic on Feb. 23

• On April 4 against then-No. 10 North Carolina, Ford mashed three homers in one game, including a grand slam, game-tying shot and go-ahead blast in a 14-11 come-from-behind UVA victory. It marked the first three home run game by a Cavalier since Dan Street in 2002 and only the fifth time in program history that a player has hit three home runs in a single game.

• Ford is the fourth Cavalier freshman to hit 10 or more home runs in a season since 2004, joining UVA Baseball Hall of Famers Mark Reynolds (15 in 2002), Sean Doolittle (11 in 2005) and Steven Proscia (10 in 2009).

• No. 41 on D1Baseball’s Preseason Top-50 First Baseman list, the only freshman included on the list.

• Named to the 2023-24 ACC Honor Roll.

 

https://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2024/03/representing-charlottesville-henry-ford-is-built-tough -

Some of the best athletes to play for the University are homegrown talents from Charlottesville. Graduate attackman Connor Shellenberger of men’s lacrosse and freshman guard Kymora Johnson of women’s basketball instantly come to mind as leaders of their respective programs. Completing a trifecta of local legends, enter Henry Ford — who has been playing baseball in Charlottesville for over a decade.

“Henry Ford is the little league legend around Charlottesville,” Coach Brian O’Connor said. “He’s kind of like the movie ‘Sandlot.’”

Standing at a towering 6-foot-5 and 220 lbs., Ford fits the mold of an ultra-strong first baseman. However, his origins are diverse. His father, Ryan Ford, was a standout pitcher for William and Mary and his uncle, Kevin Ford, played four years for Virginia at third base. Coming out of high school, Henry Ford was listed as a shortstop — ranked as fourth-best in the Commonwealth by Perfect Game. Regardless of positional fits though, Virginia was always the dream destination for Ford — he has been committed to the Cavaliers since the eighth grade.