Walter Ford prospect report (Mariners)

Nicknamed the “Vanilla Missile,” Walter Ford was selected 74th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft and has begun to carve out his identity as a projectable young arm in the Mariners’ system. Now 20 years old and listed at 6-foot-3, 198 pounds, the right-handed Ford features a tall, lean frame with room to add strength. He works from a high three-quarters slot with a clean, rhythmic delivery that he repeats well, showing solid body control while throwing slightly across his body.

Ford operates with a fastball sitting in the low-90s, showing natural cutter-like action that allows him to live in the zone and generate weak contact. While not overpowering, he throws strikes consistently and demonstrates an advanced feel for pitching. His slider, a heavily used 10–4 breaker, flashes as a viable secondary but remains inconsistent in both shape and bite. The curveball, a softer 11–5 offering, has shown glimpses of average major-league potential but occasionally flattens out. He’s flashed a seldom-used low-80s changeup with natural fade and the potential to round out a solid four-pitch arsenal.

Ford’s pitchability and pace on the mound stand out, and his willingness to attack hitters with a full mix bodes well for future development. With added strength and refinement of his secondaries, he could settle into a back-end starter role at the major-league level.