Spencer Howard

Position: RHSP
Level: Class A
Affiliate: Lakewood BlueClaws
League: South Atlantic League
Born: 07/28/1996 (Age: 27)
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 205
B/T: Right / Right
Acquired: 2nd Rd., 2017 MLB First Year Player Draft (PHI)

Prospect Spotlight

Taken in the 2nd round of the 2017 MLB Draft, Howard has the ideal frame for a starting pitcher. His fastball is 93-to 96 mph (T97) with an average cut, which he used aggressively against lefties; this is an improvement over the 92-to-94 velo menage he showed last year, looking more like a 70-grade offering at its best. His go-to breaking ball is a hard 86-to-88 mph slider that has late, cutter-like action and tunnels well off his fastball. Howard used his 74-to-76 mph curve sparingly, mainly as a second look at his breaking ball. His changeup comes in at 78-to-80, a full 14-to-18 mph off the fastball, fooling hitters with its extreme velo separation from the FB, as well late drop. Given his physicality, repeatable delivery, and two quality pitches in the fastball and slider, Howard could be a quick mover. The upside is that of a mid-rotation starter.