Ford Proctor

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #26 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Proctor was Rice’s everyday shortstop from virtually his first day on campus, but few MLB teams viewed him as a regular at the position. Buried on the Rays’ shortstop depth chart, Proctor took up catching in 2020 and split time between catcher (58 games) and shortstop (28 games) in 2021. He has also played some at second and third base.
  
  Scouting Report: Proctor’s move to catcher has given him a much clearer path to a big league role. He’s not a polished catcher yet (his 16 passed balls were second most in the minors), but his receiving quickly improved to near-average later in the season and is continually improving. His throwing stroke is a little long behind the plate. He’s also a fringe-average defender at shortstop. He makes the plays on balls hit to him with soft hands, but he has modest range and a fringe-average arm. At the plate, Proctor doesn’t consistently drive the ball, but his excellent pitch recognition gives him survival skills despite below-average power. He seems most comfortable in deep counts.
  
  The Future: Proctor was added to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. If Proctor continues to develop defensively at catcher, he could end up as a solid MLB backup. If not, his ability to be a No. 3 catcher/middle infield utilityman would still have appeal.
  

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #202 prospect in 2018 draft
  Proctor has been Rice's shortstop since the second game of his freshman season. He immediately moved now-Rays infielder Tristan Gray to second base and has been Rice's starter at shortstop ever since. He's blossomed at the plate as a junior, hitting .346/.434/.514 with seven home runs as of mid-May. The question for Proctor is whether he can play shortstop in pro ball. His range is fringe-average at best, although his hands work fine and his above-average arm is plenty for the position. Proctor has enough bat to be a viable second base option if shortstop doesn't work.

• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Proctor was Rice’s everyday shortstop from virtually his first day on campus, but few MLB teams viewed him as a regular at the position. Buried on the Rays’ shortstop depth chart, Proctor took up catching in 2020 and split time between catcher (58 games) and shortstop (28 games) in 2021. He has also played some at second and third base.
  
  Scouting Report: Proctor’s move to catcher has given him a much clearer path to a big league role. He’s not a polished catcher yet (his 16 passed balls were second most in the minors), but his receiving quickly improved to near-average later in the season and is continually improving. His throwing stroke is a little long behind the plate. He’s also a fringe-average defender at shortstop. He makes the plays on balls hit to him with soft hands, but he has modest range and a fringe-average arm. At the plate, Proctor doesn’t consistently drive the ball, but his excellent pitch recognition gives him survival skills despite below-average power. He seems most comfortable in deep counts.
  
  The Future: Proctor was added to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. If Proctor continues to develop defensively at catcher, he could end up as a solid MLB backup. If not, his ability to be a No. 3 catcher/middle infield utilityman would still have appeal.