The MLB trade deadline is known for some season-altering moves to help clubs get over the top and take home a World Series. These trades are filled with future top talent and top-tier prospects. After the latest edition of the MLB Draft, picks made by some teams could force certain trades. Harry Ford, a catching prospect in the Seattle Mariners farm system, has been a hot prospect name who's most likely on the trade block following the draft.
The breakout season of the Mariners' current Home Run Derby champion and starting All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh has made Ford’s name pop up in trade rumors as the Mariners look to be more of a contender. The Mariners then used their 35th pick on one of the best catchers in the draft from North Carolina, Luke Stevenson. This is believed to be a great pick while at the same time preparing backup for if/when Ford is moved.
The Philadelphia Phillies could have a problem at the catcher position with current catcher J.T. Realmuto entering free agency this year. Rumors have been the Phillies may look to sign Realmuto to a small one- to two-year deal, but with teammates Kyle Schwarber and Ranger Suárez also free agents, it could make any other deal tough.
Mariners' top prospect Harry Ford is the perfect Phillies replacement for J.T. Realmuto
That's where Ford comes in as the Phillies could look to turn to the Mariners for a trade that could bring the 22-year old catching prospect as a Realmuto replacement or a backup for a season before turning over the keys to Ford.
Ford is MLB Pipeline's No. 4 prospect in the Mariners system and the No. 53 prospect overall in baseball. His slash line for the 2025 season is .289/.407/.441 while driving in 50 runs and hitting nine home runs in 70 games in Triple-A. He was drafted 12th overall by the Mariners in the 2021 MLB Draft.
According to The Athletic's Jim Bowden, Ford was already ranked the No. 2 prospect most likely to be dealt (subscription required), according to big league executives, following the multi year extension by the Mariners with Raleigh. Now that they've stocked up for Ford’s replacement it makes the young catcher even more likely to be moved.
Trading for a top prospect to replace a pending free agent would be a different approach for the Phillies. In the event of this move the Phillies could even potentially move him into the backup catching role for the season.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has not been shy in making minor league deals this season. They have not been to this extent by any means but he has traded for the likes of Daniel Robert, Nolan Hoffman, Nick Dunn, Donovan Walton, and Josh Walker. This would easily be the best minor league move he could make. The trade could take a couple of big Phillies prospects for an equal swap to get a deal done.