• Full name Ryan James Howard
  • Born 11/19/1979 in St. Louis, MO
  • Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 250 / Bats: L / Throws: L
  • School Missouri State
  • Debut 09/01/2004
  • Drafted in the 5th round (140th overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2001.
    View Draft Report
    Howard seemed primed for a big junior year after batting .379 and leading the Missouri Valley Conference with 18 homers as a sophomore. Instead he regressed, batting just .271 with 13 longballs and 74 strikeouts in 58 games. He had trouble turning on fastballs and lifting pitches. It may have been a bad case of draftitis, but his performance has raised a red flag, especially following his .231 average using wood bats with Team USA last summer. Nevertheless, his tools shouldn't allow him to slide past the fourth round. At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, he resembles a young Frank Thomas. He offers lefthanded power and patience at the plate, and he has average speed despite his size.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Minor League Top Prospects

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Power Hitter in the National League in 2008
  • Rated Best Power Prospect in the International League in 2005
  • Rated Best Batting Prospect in the International League in 2005
  • Rated Best Defensive 1B in the International League in 2005
  • Rated Best Power Hitter in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2005
  • Rated Best Power Prospect in the Eastern League in 2004

Download our app

Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone