Darren Ford Stats & Scouting Report

AB	14
AVG	.286
OBP	.375
SLG	.286
HR	0

Full name Darren Scott Ford
Born 10/01/1985 in Vineland, NJ
Profile Ht.: 5'9" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Chipola JC
Debut 09/01/2010
Drafted in the 18th round (526th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2004.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Ford was acquired along with lefthander Steve Hammond in a July 2008 trade that sent Ray Durham to the Brewers. Ford's eventful 2010 season began with an eye-opening spring training that included an electric 11- for-22 performance that won him the clubhouse award for best rookie in camp. He made a memorable major league debut as a pinch-runner Sept. 1, sprinting madly around the bases on a wild pitch and error to score the winning run against the Rockies. Ford wasn't on the playoff roster, but he enjoyed a front-row seat for the Giants' run to a World Series title. His season wasn't all good news, though. In July, Ford surrendered to authorities in New Jersey after investigators suspected he made up a story over the winter about being robbed at gunpoint while making a bank deposit from his offseason job at a car dealership. The charges were a distraction for the hyper-fast leadoff hitter--he earns 80 speed grades on the 20-80 scale from some scouts--as he struck out too much and threw away at-bats against tougher Double-A pitching. His choppy swing precludes him from driving the ball consistently, and he hits too many groundballs. Ford was in the process of resolving his legal situation over the winter. If he can avoid distractions and develop a consistent righthanded swing, his blinding speed and tremendous range in center field make him an option as a reserve outfielder.
Ford had the ultimate tale of two halves in 2009. He batted .207/.341/.293 before the all-star break, then hit a scorching .354/.414/.563 afterward. What made the difference? He got healthy after spending time on the disabled list with biceps tendinitis, but more important, the Giants allowed him to drop a switch-hitting experiment that started in instructional league the previous fall. One of the fastest players in the minor leagues, Ford stopped trying to slap his way on base and began to believe in himself as a hitter. He didn't merely boost his average with infield singles. He drove the ball more consistently than he ever had in the past. Acquired from the Brewers along with lefthander Steve Hammond in a July 2008 trade for Ray Durham, Ford earned a place on San Francisco's 40-man roster in November. He was old for high Class A at age 23, but he could become a premium center fielder if he proves he can hit more advanced pitching. His speed changes games, allowing him to terrorize pitchers and catchers--and even score from first base on singles, which he has accomplished twice. He's a defensive standout, too. "There isn't a center fielder in the minor leagues who covers more ground north, south, east and west," San Jose manager Andy Skeels said. Ford's arm is below-average.
Ford has the one tool that can't be taught--blazing speed. The former New Jersey high school track star is one of the fastest runners in the minor leagues, going from the right side of the plate to first base in 3.8 seconds. He stole 67 bases in 83 attempts in 2007. The question is whether Ford can develop the rest of his game to the point where he can become a useful big leaguer. He played very well when he repeated low Class A to start last season but had trouble following a mid-June promotion. He draws walks, but he needs to bunt more often and cut down on his strikeouts. He can turn ordinary groundballs into base hits with his extraordinary speed. "All he has to do," scouting director Jack Zduriencik says, "is make contact." Ford has a little pop in his bat but the Brewers just want him to concentrate on getting on base. An outstanding defender, he could play center field in the big leagues right now. His arm is below average and he must improve his consistency after making 20 errors during the last two seasons. Ford will be 22 all season, so returning to high Class A isn't a setback.
One of the fastest players in the minor leagues, Ford reached the New Jersey state finals in the 100-meter dash in high school, and he led the South Atlantic League in swipes last year while ranking second in the minors. He uses top-of-the-scale speed to chase down balls in center, making him a prototype center fielder/leadoff hitter. A three-sport star in high school, he's still developing his approach to hitting. He remains undisciplined at the plate, striking out on pitches out of the zone and not drawing enough walks. Ford improved his pitch selection as the year progressed, and he showed flashes of the type of impact player he can be. The Brewers have stressed the importance of bunting and hitting the ball on the ground as often as possible, though Ford does have some sock in his bat. With a strong, solid body type, he's built for both speed and durability. He often beats out routine ground balls, flustering infielders into making poor throws. Ford can be brought along slowly, but needs to cut down on his strikeouts and make more contact to hit atop the order and take full advantage of his speed. He'll continue to develop in high Class A this season.

Minor League Top Prospects

The Giants acquired Ford from the Brewers in the Ray Durham trade in July 2008, and he finished the summer with a rough stretch in San Jose. He repeated the Cal League in 2009 and had his best minor league season in almost every regard. Ford always has displayed top-of-the-line speed, but this year he showed he could do more than run. He tried to switch-hit at the beginning of the season and had no success, then switched back to batting solely righthanded and hit .354/.414/.563 after the all-star break. "He has been the biggest surprise of the second half," Skeels said. "If there is a faster guy in baseball, I haven't seen him. He's a top-of-the-lineup guy with a great eye at the plate. His hands are loaded and set higher now, and that helps keep his swing on plane." Ford has a little pop but just needs to focus on getting on base. He has tremendous range in center field, though his arm is below average.