Dillon Howard

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #25 prospect in 2013
  A projected first-rounder in the 2011 draft, Howard had a so-so high school senior season and scared some teams off with his bonus expectations. After the Indians signed him for a $1.85 million bonus in the second round, his 2012 pro debut was the biggest disappointment in the system. He arrived at spring training out of shape and didn't make a full-season club. Nearly 20 when he arrived in the Arizona League, he got hammered for a 7.90 ERA. While that was a disaster, Cleveland also hopes it was a wakeup call for Howard. He dealt with elbow and knee issues, as well as an illness early in the year that cut into his weight and strength. As a result, his fastball often sat at 85-88 mph, though he did get back to touching 92 mph by the end of the year. In high school, he regularly threw in the low 90s. Howard induced a lot of grounders in the AZL, but his typically lively two-seamer flattened out and became hittable. Scouts from other organizations had concerns about his fastball command as an amateur that were borne out in his debut. Howard flashes an average changeup, but he wasn't ahead in enough counts to use the pitch. His curveball is slurvy because he has trouble staying on top of it. If Howard can return to his 2011 form, he'll still have the potential to be a solid starter, but his regression in 2012 was troubling.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #2 prospect in 2012
  Howard established himself as a potential 2011 first-round pick as early as his sophomore year in high school. He didn't quite live up to expectations as a senior last spring, and signability questions helped drop him to the second round. The Indians signed him at the deadline for $1.85 million, the equivalent of mid-first-round money. Howard's best pitch is his lively two-seam fastball, which he runs in the low 90s with plus sink. He can get both groundouts and swings and misses with his two-seamer, and he can mix in a four-seamer that reaches 94 mph and changes hitters' eye level. His No. 2 pitch is an average changeup with good deception that could become a plus offering in time. His breaking ball needs some tightening, as he throws a slurvy curveball with the potential to become average if he learns to stay on top of it. Howard is a solid athlete whose arm works well, though scouts who saw him as an amateur had some concerns about his fastball command. They also raised questions his mound presence and energy level, though Cleveland doesn't share any of those worries. Howard has the potential to become a frontline starter, though he'll need some time to develop. He'll make his pro debut in low Class A.

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Howard established himself as a potential 2011 first-round pick as early as his sophomore year in high school. He didn't quite live up to expectations as a senior last spring, and signability questions helped drop him to the second round. The Indians signed him at the deadline for $1.85 million, the equivalent of mid-first-round money. Howard's best pitch is his lively two-seam fastball, which he runs in the low 90s with plus sink. He can get both groundouts and swings and misses with his two-seamer, and he can mix in a four-seamer that reaches 94 mph and changes hitters' eye level. His No. 2 pitch is an average changeup with good deception that could become a plus offering in time. His breaking ball needs some tightening, as he throws a slurvy curveball with the potential to become average if he learns to stay on top of it. Howard is a solid athlete whose arm works well, though scouts who saw him as an amateur had some concerns about his fastball command. They also raised questions his mound presence and energy level, though Cleveland doesn't share any of those worries. Howard has the potential to become a frontline starter, though he'll need some time to develop. He'll make his pro debut in low Class A.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Howard established himself as a potential 2011 first-round pick as early as his sophomore year in high school in Arkansas. He didn't quite live up to expectations as a senior last spring, and signability questions helped drop him to the second round. The Indians signed him at the deadline for $1.85 million, the equivalent of mid-first-round money. Scouting Report: Howard's best pitch is his lively two-seam fastball, which he runs in the low 90s with plus sink. He can get both groundouts and swings and misses with his two-seamer, and he can mix in a four-seamer that reaches 94 mph and changes hitters' eye level. His No. 2 pitch is an average changeup with good deception that could become a plus offering in time. His breaking ball needs some tightening, as he throws a slurvy curveball with the potential to become average if he learns to stay on top of it. Howard is a solid athlete whose arm works well, though scouts who saw him as an amateur had some concerns about his fastball command. They also raised questions his mound presence and energy level, though Cleveland doesn't share any of those worries. The Future: Howard has the potential to become a frontline starter, though he'll need some time to develop. He'll make his pro debut in low Class A.