The Seattle Mariners are set to elevate prospect Harry Ford to the big leagues as September rosters expand, with Ford joining a slate of roster moves that also included the addition of right-hander Luke Jackson and infielder Leo Rivas, and the release of veteran first baseman Donovan Solano.
Key moves announced by Seattle:
– Harry Ford selected from Triple-A Tacoma
– Luke Jackson selected from Tacoma
– Leo Rivas recalled from Tacoma
– Sauryn Lao designated for assignment
– Donovan Solano released from the roster
Because rosters expanded from 26 to 28, Seattle’s active count sits at 27 due to outfielder Victor Robles serving a seven-game suspension; Robles is slated to be eligible to return in the second game of a three-game set with Atlanta.
Ford, 22, is ranked as the No. 40 overall prospect and the No. 4 prospect in Seattle’s system by MLB.com. He’s also listed among the top 100 by ESPN (No. 65), Fangraphs (No. 67), Baseball America (No. 76), and The Athletic (No. 79). The Georgia native and switch-hitting catcher was the 12th overall pick by Seattle in the 2021 draft. Ford has a sturdy .283/.408/.460 line with an .868 OPS through 97 Triple-A games this season, collecting 16 homers, 18 doubles, seven steals, 68 runs, and 74 RBIs, while drawing 74 walks to 88 strikeouts. His performance places him among the league leaders in on-base percentage and walks and puts him in the mix for a potential late-season impact.
Ford’s athleticism is often highlighted, especially for a catcher at 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds. He has also turned heads on the international stage, becoming the first player to hit two home runs in World Baseball Classic play before turning 21, a feat accomplished while representing Great Britain in the 2023 WBC.
Rivas, 27, contributed earlier this season in Seattle, batting .283 in 30 games with a .411 on-base percentage. In 66 Triple-A games this year, he hit .318 with 10 home runs, 46 RBIs, 24 thefts, and a .978 OPS, making him a versatile option for the Mariners in the infield.
Luke Jackson, a 34-year-old veteran right-hander, has 10 MLB seasons under his belt. He signed a minor league contract with Seattle on August 21 after most recently appearing in the majors with Texas this season. In his Tacoma debut, he allowed two earned runs with four strikeouts in 2 1/2 innings. Jackson brings a veteran presence and a track record of late-inning depth to Seattle’s bullpen options.
Donovan Solano, 37, spent the season with Seattle after a long major league career. He hit .252 with three homers and 21 RBIs in 69 games, serving in a first-base platoon before his playing time declined following Seattle’s July trade for first baseman Josh Naylor.
Sauryn Lao, 26, has appeared in two Mariners games this season. In Tacoma this year, Lao posted a 3.13 ERA over 69 innings across 22 games (19 starts) with 73 strikeouts and 19 walks.
Seattle enters September holding a 2.5-game lead over Texas for the third and final American League wild-card berth and sit two games behind Houston for the AL West lead. The Mariners will begin a three-game series at the Tampa Bay Rays at 4:35 p.m. local time on Monday, with radio coverage on Seattle Sports starting at 3:30 p.m. for the pregame show.
What to watch
– Harry Ford’s big-league debut: how Seattle handles his transition behind the plate and in the lineup, and what kind of immediate impact he can provide in September.
– Depth and flexibility: how Ford, along with Rivas and Jackson, affects Seattle’s batting order and bullpen options down the stretch.
– Playoff push: with Seattle jockeying for position in a tight AL wild-card race, every roster move may play a part in the final sprint toward securing a playoff spot.
Overall, the Mariners are banking on a mix of veteran depth and promising youth as they push toward the postseason, while Ford’s arrival offers a tantalizing glimpse at the future alongside a late-season chance to contribute right away.