The Mariners traded Ford to the Nationals on Saturday alongside minor-league pitcher Isaac Lyon in exchange for Jose Ferrer, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ford spent most of the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Tacoma, where he slashed .283/.408/.460 with 16 homers, 74 RBI and 68 runs scored across 458 plate appearances. He managed to reach the big leagues toward the end of the regular season but only appeared in eight games for the Mariners, going 1-for-6 at the plate. The 22-year-old Ford will now join Keibert Ruiz (concussion), Riley Adams and Drew Millas (finger) in the battle for Washington's starting catcher job -- a race that figures to be wide open considering none of the four candidates posted an OPS above .600 over at least 100 plate appearances in 2025.

Ford was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Mariners on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Ford is an ultra-talented 20-year-old catcher considered by most to be the best prospect in the Mariners' system. He went 2-for-4 with three walks in seven plate appearances during Cactus League play while also slugging a couple home runs for Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic. Ford might not wind up sticking at catcher, but Seattle intends to continue grooming at the position for now.

Ford appeared in 104 games for Single-A Modesto in 2022, batting .274/.425/.438 with 11 home runs, 23 steals and an 88:115 BB:K.

EDGE Analysis

The 2021 first-rounder impressed all year long with his plate discipline and baserunning, though he did fall a bit short in the power department. Ford started the season cold, hitting just .196 over his first 38 games, but from June 12 through the end of the campaign, he put up a sparkling .320/.459/.530 line. Look for the 19-year-old backstop to open next season with High-A Everett.

Ford has hit .344/.463/.580 with four homers, eight steals and a 24:37 BB:K across his last 34 games for Single-A Modesto.

EDGE Analysis

He opened the season ice cold, so Ford's season-long line still looks good but not great at .266/.412/.423. Nonetheless, the 19-year-old's recent production is far more reflective of the potential he brings to the table. With growing pop and good speed, Ford offers the promise of a tantalizing fantasy package at the catcher position. He's most likely a few years away, though, with his timeline depending on whether the Mariners remain inclined to keep him behind the plate.

Ford is hitting .215/.414/.308 with a homer and four steals across 18 games this year for Single-A Modesto.

EDGE Analysis

That OBP pops off the page, courtesy of his impressive 23.5 percent walk rate, but Ford is also striking out a lot (27.6 percent). The pop he showed in rookie ball last year hasn't materialized so far this season, and it's worth wondering if or when the Mariners will ultimately move him from behind the plate to better take advantage of his speed. All in all, there's a lot of development left to go for last season's No. 12 overall draft pick, but he's got great upside. It'd just be nice to see him start tapping into his power more often.