Kevin Howard

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #19 prospect in 2006
  Howard, acquired from the Reds in a trade for Tony Womack during the Winter Meetings, has hit at almost every stop along a storied career. He was Baseball America's College Freshman of the Year in 2000, when he batted .413, and won a College World Series championship ring with Miami in 2001. He hit .373 in the Arizona Fall League in 2004, then won the AFL batting title with a .409 average this offseason while playing third base. Howard had played just one game at the hot corner as a pro after starring there for the Hurricanes. The move was simply a way to get him at-bats on an AFL team that already had enough second basemen, but it also enhanced his value by showing his versatility. Howard's bat is ready for the majors right now. He has shown a consistent ability to center the ball, with an effective line-drive swing and adequate power from the left side. He has average speed. Howard's defense is what keeps him from profiling as an everyday middle infielder. His actions are a little unorthodox, he doesn't turn the double play particularly well, his range is average and his arm is below average, especially at third base. Howard, who profiles best as a utilityman, likely will spend most of 2006 in Triple-A.
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  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #14 prospect in 2005
  Howard has an impressive track record and keeps succeeding despite average tools and an unorthodox style. He was on the Long Beach team, led by Sean Burroughs, that won the 1993 Little League World Series, and he won a College World Series championship at Miami in 2001, a year after he was Baseball America's Freshman of the Year. He hit .413 as a freshman, played for Team USA as a sophomore and had a strong junior season, yet lasted until the fifth round in 2002 because he didn't have a clear position and lacked an outstanding tool. Howard is a good athlete whose best attribute is his bat. He's a patient, line-drive hitter who knows and exploits situations, and he has shown improved power. He hangs in well against lefthanders, and his overall game reminds the Reds of Adam Kennedy's. Howard played shortstop and third base in college, but Cincinnati moved him to second base because his arm strength, short-circuited by a funky delivery, is below average. Howard is taller and rangier than the usual second baseman and has average range, but he's still learning his way around the right side of the infield. He needs to improve his footwork around the bag on the double-play pivot. His winning makeup, athleticism and solid bat make him a good bet to reach the majors as at least a utilityman. After a solid Arizona Fall League performance, he's headed for Double-A.