J.P. Howell Stats & Scouting Report

Full name James Phillip Howell
Born 04/25/1983 in Modesto, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Texas
Debut 06/11/2005
Drafted in the C-1 round (31st overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2004 (signed for $1,000,000).

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In many ways, Howell is a lefthanded version of Longhorns teammate Huston Street. Listed generously at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, he has a fastball that sits at 85-86 mph and tops out at 89. But he has a plus breaking ball, a curveball that devastates lefties and keeps righties at bay, plus command of his fastball and a huge heart. A nasty splitter also helps, and a developing changeup serves as his fourth pitch. Hitters have trouble picking up Howell's pitches, none of which ever seem to catch the heart of the plate. A second-round pick by the Braves out of high school, Howell should go in the same area this June. Teams that emphasize statistical analysis may consider taking him a round earlier after checking out this line: 13-2, 2.01, 112 innings, 69 hits, 41 walks, 134 strikeouts.

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Howell led Texas to the College World Series finals in 2004, tying for the Division I lead in wins (15-2, 2.13) while ranking second in strikeouts (166 in 135 innings). He cut a predraft deal for a $1 million bonus as the first supplemental pick after the first round. Howell mirrors Zack Greinke's ability to add and subtract from four pitches that he'll throw in any count. His four-seam fastball tops out at 89 mph, but both it and his lively two-seamer play above-average because of his command. His plus curveball comes in two varieties, one he can bury in the dirt for a strikeout and another he throws for strikes. Howell's splitter elicits swings-and-misses because it closely resembles his two-seamer. He also uses a fosh changeup. He's not afraid to throw inside, but Howell needs to do so more often. He can rely too much on his curveball at times. His bulldog nature is often an asset, though he sometimes loses control of his emotions. Howell is refined and could begin 2005 in high Class A. Despite his lack of velocity, his feel for pitching and heart could make him a middle-of-the-rotation starter.

Howell isn't big and doesn't light up radar guns, but don't underestimate him. Generously listed at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds and possessing a fastball that sits at 85-86 mph, Howell nevertheless dominated college hitters for Texas this spring and breezed through PL lineups as well. The savvy Howell was more advanced than most of the league's pitchers. He set up hitters masterfully and buried them with his plus curveball once he got ahead in the count, racking up strikeouts. He keep righthanders at bay with his fosh changeup and an occasional curve, and he also throws a splitter.