Walter Ford

Ford is one of the youngest players in the 2022 class and doesn’t turn 18 until late December. He was originally a top prospect in the 2023 high school class, but he reclassified last fall after a strong summer on the showcase circuit. A 6-foot-2, 193-pound righthander, Ford has some of the best pure stuff in the country and impressive natural athleticism. His fastball sits in the low 90s and reaches 96-97 mph already at a young age. His fast arm speed gives him a chance to reach triple-digits once he fills out and reaches physical maturity. His go-to secondary is a sharp slider in the low 80s that shows impressive two-plane bite and high spin rates in the 2,600-2,700-rpm range. He will also show a low-80s changeup that has some promise, but he needs to develop more feel and consistency for the pitch. Ford has a lot of moving parts in his delivery, including a plunge in the back, a drop and drive in his lower half as he strides toward the plate and a bit of a spinoff in his finish. Despite those moving parts, his natural athleticism gives him a chance to have above-average future control. Ford has been a two-way player in high school and has the talent to play both ways at Alabama, but his upside is significantly higher on the mound. He’s viewed as a top-two rounds talent in the 2022 draft.