Seattle Mariners: Walter Ford May Be The Future Of Baseball
We will not be able to get a full evaluation on the Seattle Mariners 2022 Draft Class for at least 3 years. In the MLB, where prospects are sometimes just as profitable as their MLB counterparts, teams take time to develop and groom their future stars. In terms of the Mariners 2022 class, we’ve seen Tyler Locklear, Hogan Windish, and Cole Young all advance to Single-A, Modesto (and have produced relatively well thus far).
As is the case with any first-year player draft, the high school arms are always the players with the microscope attached to them. They seemingly (and it’s almost a proven fact) have the biggest risk of any drafted player. While the hitting draftees previously mentioned have excelled and adjusted well, we will have to wait a bit longer to get a first evaluation of the prep arms Seattle drafted.
Walter Ford Is A Different Breed Of High School Draftee
When it pertains to Walter Ford (the basis for this article), Ashton Izzi, and Tyler Gough, the prep arm pipeline in the Seattle system is showing no signs of a slowdown after the 2022 First Year draft. These 3 arms are being developed in a very rich pitching system that has produced some very efficient MLB/near MLB arms as of late.
While the book is still out on Seattle’s 2021 3rd round prep arm, Michael Morales (I am very high on Morales), the 2022 class has just as much, if not more potential than any prep arm the Seattle system has had in recent years.
In the case of Morales, a talented high school project like his new organizational mates, he was a bit of an unorthodox pick by Seattle. Morales, unlike most teenage arms, has an advanced mindset on the mound. He’s more consistent with off-speed and breaking pitches. The fastball of Morales, while a solid offering, I’d put below his change and breaking pitches.
Looking at a player like Walter Ford, the Mariners 3rd round selection in 2022 and the first prep arm taken by them, this is a far cry from what Morales was coming into the organization (and currently is). Ford challenged the system and enrolled in the draft at 17. As a lot of the youngsters say, “he wants the smoke.”
I’ve seen Morales in person, he’s very calm under pressure. To use the phrase, “he wants the smoke”, again, that’s not Morales. He doesn’t show emotion during his rougher innings. I can assure you that Ford will be electric. He will show emotion (good and bad), and that’s not something to discount him on. Oh, and unlike Morales, Ford wants to hit 100mph with his fastball.
The Obvious (Controversial) Comparison To Trevor Bauer
Bare with me here as I bring up a name that most baseball fans would likely choose to ignore, Trevor Bauer. Now, I am not going to mention the off-the-field issues of Bauer that are not baseball related, rather I’m talking about the way Bauer viewed the game on and off the field. Similar to how NBA players seek out ways to grow their brand outside of the sport, yet also growing it to the younger fans as well, Bauer did much of the same.
Ford, a confident high school arm who challenged the system himself and was reclassified for the 2022 draft as a 17-year-old, goes by the nickname, Vanilla Missle. He, unlike a lot of high school arms, has a major-league ego ( a full year younger than most who get drafted) and persona. This includes his line of Vanilla Missle merchandise (I’d know, I have already bought shirts.). I’m here to tell you, that is not a bad thing for the game of baseball. The one thing you can’t say negatively about Bauer, he wanted to be the player who looked outside of the sport of baseball for ways to market it. Ford, seems to be cut from the same cloth. He wants to build his brand.
How Does He Relate To The Seattle (and Baseball) Fans?
Ford, who stated to news outlets, he didn’t expect Seattle to come calling, has quickly embraced the city and its fans on Twitter. With how the Emerald City faithful have embraced Julio Rodriguez, the fans will love you like a son. He has been very vocal and interacting with fans has been a focal point of his early settlement into the pro system. As many baseball stars don’t try and establish that connection, Ford is doing so the right way (especially to the younger audiences), through social media and catchy nicknames that give insight into your personality.
More Baseball:
Ford, who will almost certainly appear in Seattle at some point in the future, bringing his apparel line, Vanilla Missle nickname, and belief in growing himself and the game in new ways. Along the way, he will stop through Arizona (Summer League), Modesto (Single-A), Arkansas (Arkansas Travelers), and a few stops in Washington State, as he learns the MLB game and grows his brand even more. The appeal outside of the city and within the outreach of the Mariners farm system can begin to take shape.
Call it a gut feeling on Ford, however, one look at his Twitter feed, you’ll see the passion. He interacts with his new teammates, reaching out to every newly drafted Mariners Draft Pick via Twitter. Ford loves showing off his 100 mph fastball and two-way ability via highlight clips. Above all else, he interacts with fans with that pretty clever nickname and clothing line. In terms of making yourself a star, Ford is lightyears ahead of most college-drafted players. He’s certainly not the pitcher Trevor Bauer was (yet), nor is the influencer that certain baseball stars or influencers are, but in the world of baseball, a sport that needs a star that transcends the game, Walter Ford is well ahead of it.
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
