Ford Called Up, Kranick Back | Washington Nationals News

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On July 18th, the Nationals are kicking off the second half of their season with a road trip out west starting against the Athletics.
But before they even hit the field, they made some official moves. The big news is that catcher Harry Ford, a highly touted prospect, has been called up to the Major League roster. He's stepping in for Drew Millas, who's currently injured. This move is pretty significant because Ford was a major acquisition this past winter. He's expected to serve as the backup catcher, likely getting playing time primarily against left-handed pitchers.
Looking at the upcoming schedule, he might see action against the Athletics, Gage Jump, or Jacob Lopez, and potentially against the Rockies, Kyle Freeland. The expectation for Ford's initial stint in the majors is pretty measured. He's not projected to get a ton of at bats, so the focus will be on him gaining experience. However, the team is hoping he can bring the hot hitting he showed in June and July, where he put up impressive numbers, especially after recovering, from an early season injury that affected his performance. Max Kranick, a right-handed reliever, has also been officially reinstated from the injured list. This gives the team another solid option in the bullpen, which is a definite plus for the pitching staff as they head into this next stretch of games. Ultimately, seeing Ford with the big league club is a positive sign for the Nationals future. He's considered a key piece for what they're building, and getting him this experience now is a valuable step in his development, regardless of how.
Much he plays in the immediate future. You've been listening to Washington Nationals News Today, AI-powered team coverage.