Spencer Howard

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #1 prospect in 2021
  Fastball: 65. Slider: 60. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 55. Control: 55
  TRACK RECORD: Howard got into Cal Poly on academics and planned to play for the school’s club team, but he made the varsity team during walk-on tryouts as a freshman. He blossomed physically and went from throwing 84-85 mph at the tryout to sitting 92-93 and touching 96 by the time he was a redshirt sophomore in the Mustangs’ rotation. The Phillies drafted him in the second round, No. 45 overall, in 2017 and signed him for $1.15 million. Howard battled through an arm injury his first full season but recovered to throw a no-hitter in the South Atlantic League playoffs. He reached Double-A in 2019. Howard looked like one of the Phillies’ best pitchers in summer camp, and it didn’t take long for him to make his first big league start. He took the bump on Aug. 9 against the Braves. His season did hit a hiccup as he missed time with shoulder stiffness.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Howard has a strong, sturdy build at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds and tops his arsenal with a nearly plusplus fastball. The pitch comfortably sits 94 mph, bumps 98 and has touched 100 in the past. Howard showed the ability to throw his fastball to all four quadrants of the strike zone in the big leagues, though he mainly threw the pitch up in the zone or missed down the middle. His fastball shows above-average movement and above-average spin—64th percentile,according to Statcast—and he leans on it heavily, throwing it more than half the time. All three of Howard’s secondary pitches show above-average potential. His changeup made rapid improvement, going from below-average in 2017 to flashing plus by 2019. The pitch sits 79-80 mph, plays up with solid deception and features late tumble at its best. Howard’s slider is his most-used secondary. The pitch sits 84-85 mph and has some late tilt. It’s his primary swing-and-miss pitch and generated a nearly 41% percent whiff rate in his debut. Howard’s curveball flashes plus 12-to-6 shape but needs further refinement. Howard has an easy, repeatable delivery that suggests future above-average control, though he didn’t show it in his debut. The Phillies were impressed by his stuff, feel and confidence attacking the zone.
  
  THE FUTURE: Howard profiles as a potential No. 2 or 3 starter with four above-average or better pitches if everything comes together. He showed encouraging signs in his big league debut and should continue to improve and adjust with more starts under his belt. Barring an unforeseen development, he should start the 2021 season back in the Phillies’ rotation.
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #1 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: When Howard arrived at Cal Poly he was an 83-85 mph walk-on who wasn't ready to be a college pitcher. He seemed destined for the club team, but he worked hard in the weight room during his redshirt freshman season and increased his velocity, which led to a solid summer as a reliever in the West Coast Collegiate League. He had an excellent redshirt freshman season as a reliever for Cal Poly, then moved into the rotation the next season. Howard's stuff has steadily gotten better as a pro. He battled through a dead arm period early in 2018 but by September he was touching 100 mph in a no-hitter in the playoffs with low Class A Lakewood. Howard missed two months in 2019 with shoulder soreness, but he showed no ill effects after he returned. Making up for lost innings, he was one of the most effective pitchers in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Howard has a starter's build and the potential for three above-average or better offspeed pitches, although the consistency of his breaking balls varies dramatically. His 93-99 mph fastball is a reliable, plus-plus weapon. He's touched triple-digits and, unlike many fireballers, can stay on the edges of the strike zone. Howard's mid-80s changeup was below-average when he signed, started flashing average last year and by the end of 2019 it was regularly flashing plus thanks to solid deception and some late tumble. He can break off a swing-and-miss curveball as well, although it's not all that reliable. Sometimes his curve has a hump out of his hand, giving it the telltale signature that advanced hitters can recognize and lay off. He'll also throw his share of 58-footers. But when he syncs everything up, it's a 12-to-6 dive bomber that tunnels with his elevated fastball. His 85-88 mph plus slider is a little more consistent with late tilt but, like the curveball, there are nights when he doesn't have the feel for it. Howard's delivery is simple and repeatable and should lend him above-average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Howard's stint on the IL with shoulder stiffness was the only blemish in an outstanding season. He has taken strides in his two and a half pro seasons and now profiles as a potential No. 2 starter. He could be ready to pitch in Philadelphia by the second half of the 2020 season.
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #7 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: After a strong April in 2018, it was a bit puzzling when Howard finished June with a 5.06 ERA at low Class A Lakewood, particularly for a second-round pick out of college in the low Class A South Atlantic League with high-end stuff. From July on, Howard dominated, posting a 2.36 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 20 walks in 53.1 innings in his final 10 regular season starts. He capped off his season with a complete-game no-hitter in the playoffs.
  
  Scouting Report: Howard has some of the best pure stuff in the organization, with a fastball that improved in the second half of 2018. Sitting in the low-to-mid-90s early in the season, Howard by the end of the year was parking in the mid-90s and reached 100 mph in the playoffs. His fastball has late life that helps him get swings and misses in the zone and when he elevates. Howard added more power to both his fastball and his slider, a deep-breaking putaway pitch that grades out as plus. He throws a curveball and a changeup that both are average pitches at times. Howard will need to throw more strikes to reach his potential, especially as he faces more advanced hitters.
  
  The Future: There's a wide range of outcomes for Howard, who could become a No. 2 or 3 starter if he harnesses his control. If not, he has the stuff to pitch high-leverage relief innings.
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #18 prospect in 2018
  Howard was going to play club baseball at Cal Poly, but he made the varsity team as a walk-on after a fall tryout with a mid-80s fastball. He bulked up, added more zip to his fastball and moved from the bullpen to a starting role to develop into a second-round pick in 2017, signing for $1.15 million. Howard attacks hitters inside aggressively with his fastball, which is his best pitch. He sits at 91-94 mph and touches 96, getting swinging strikes in the strike zone thanks to the late finish on the pitch. Howard has a solid-average slider with good depth that he can use to miss bats, along with a below-average changeup. He has a good delivery and threw a lot of strikes in college, though he was more erratic with his control in his pro debut. Howard will go to one of the Phillies' Class A affiliates in 2018, likely low Class A Lakewood.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #137 prospect in 2017 draft
  A former walk-on who has turned himself into a draft prospect, Howard was set to play club baseball at Cal Poly after getting into the school for his academics. Instead, he made the varsity team after a fall tryout, sitting 84-85 mph at the time. He's added strength to his 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame and added velocity with it, at times hitting 96 mph and pitching at 92-93. His fastball has late finish and gets swings and misses in the zone, and he can locate it inside to lefthanded hitters. Howard has a very smooth and easy delivery. Scouts can project an average changeup and see some ability to spin a slider with some depth, though at times it morphs into a flat, hard cutter in the upper 80s.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #12 prospect in 2018
  Howard was surprisingly ineffective during a midseason stretch that saw his ERA balloon to well over 5.00. But as he improved his command and regained some velocity he dominated the league down the stretch, culminating with the first complete-game playoff no-hitter in Sally League history. Howard is a high-risk prospect as his control wavers and his stuff isn't always consistent, but when he's on, he dominates. He flashes a mid-90s fastball he can locate to all four quadrants of the strike zone and he carries that velocity deep in games. He sat 94-96 mph in the final inning of his no-hitter. His 86-87 mph power slider gives him a plus secondary, while his changeup and curveball both are average at times. That power and four-pitch mix helped him lead the league with 11.8 strikeouts-per-nine and finish tied for the league lead with 147 strikeouts overall. Considering his college pedigree and age, Howard should have dominated the league more than he did. But at his best, he was the best pitcher in the circuit.
• 
  Ranked New York-Penn League #20 prospect in 2017
  Two bad innings in two bad outings blew up Howard's ERA, but generally he looked more advanced than the league, showing off a varied four/five-pitch mix. Howard doesn't really have a true put-away pitch, but he keeps hitters off-balance by throwing a wide variety of solid offerings. Howard's 90-94 mph fastball is hard to square as he has some natural deception thanks to a cross-fire delivery and his ability to manipulate the pitch, cutting it or running it as needed. His changeup could end up being a plus pitch while his curveball should end up being at least average. He mixes in a fringier slider as a change of pace and sometimes it ends up dissolving into a true cutter. Howard does a good job of staying on-time in his delivery and uses his lower half well, giving him a chance to move quickly as a relatively polished back-end starter.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #27 prospect in 2021
• Ranked Baseball America's #27 prospect in 2020

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 65. Slider: 60. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 55. Control: 55
  TRACK RECORD: Howard got into Cal Poly on academics and planned to play for the school’s club team, but he made the varsity team during walk-on tryouts as a freshman. He blossomed physically and went from throwing 84-85 mph at the tryout to sitting 92-93 and touching 96 by the time he was a redshirt sophomore in the Mustangs’ rotation. The Phillies drafted him in the second round, No. 45 overall, in 2017 and signed him for $1.15 million. Howard battled through an arm injury his first full season but recovered to throw a no-hitter in the South Atlantic League playoffs. He reached Double-A in 2019. Howard looked like one of the Phillies’ best pitchers in summer camp, and it didn’t take long for him to make his first big league start. He took the bump on Aug. 9 against the Braves. His season did hit a hiccup as he missed time with shoulder stiffness.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Howard has a strong, sturdy build at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds and tops his arsenal with a nearly plusplus fastball. The pitch comfortably sits 94 mph, bumps 98 and has touched 100 in the past. Howard showed the ability to throw his fastball to all four quadrants of the strike zone in the big leagues, though he mainly threw the pitch up in the zone or missed down the middle. His fastball shows above-average movement and above-average spin—64th percentile,according to Statcast—and he leans on it heavily, throwing it more than half the time. All three of Howard’s secondary pitches show above-average potential. His changeup made rapid improvement, going from below-average in 2017 to flashing plus by 2019. The pitch sits 79-80 mph, plays up with solid deception and features late tumble at its best. Howard’s slider is his most-used secondary. The pitch sits 84-85 mph and has some late tilt. It’s his primary swing-and-miss pitch and generated a nearly 41% percent whiff rate in his debut. Howard’s curveball flashes plus 12-to-6 shape but needs further refinement. Howard has an easy, repeatable delivery that suggests future above-average control, though he didn’t show it in his debut. The Phillies were impressed by his stuff, feel and confidence attacking the zone.
  
  THE FUTURE: Howard profiles as a potential No. 2 or 3 starter with four above-average or better pitches if everything comes together. He showed encouraging signs in his big league debut and should continue to improve and adjust with more starts under his belt. Barring an unforeseen development, he should start the 2021 season back in the Phillies’ rotation.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 65. Slider: 60. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 55. Control: 55
  TRACK RECORD: Howard got into Cal Poly on academics and planned to play for the school’s club team, but he made the varsity team during walk-on tryouts as a freshman. He blossomed physically and went from throwing 84-85 mph at the tryout to sitting 92-93 and touching 96 by the time he was a redshirt sophomore in the Mustangs’ rotation. The Phillies drafted him in the second round, No. 45 overall, in 2017 and signed him for $1.15 million. Howard battled through an arm injury his first full season but recovered to throw a no-hitter in the South Atlantic League playoffs. He reached Double-A in 2019. Howard looked like one of the Phillies’ best pitchers in summer camp, and it didn’t take long for him to make his first big league start. He took the bump on Aug. 9 against the Braves. His season did hit a hiccup as he missed time with shoulder stiffness.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Howard has a strong, sturdy build at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds and tops his arsenal with a nearly plusplus fastball. The pitch comfortably sits 94 mph, bumps 98 and has touched 100 in the past. Howard showed the ability to throw his fastball to all four quadrants of the strike zone in the big leagues, though he mainly threw the pitch up in the zone or missed down the middle. His fastball shows above-average movement and above-average spin—64th percentile,according to Statcast—and he leans on it heavily, throwing it more than half the time. All three of Howard’s secondary pitches show above-average potential. His changeup made rapid improvement, going from below-average in 2017 to flashing plus by 2019. The pitch sits 79-80 mph, plays up with solid deception and features late tumble at its best. Howard’s slider is his most-used secondary. The pitch sits 84-85 mph and has some late tilt. It’s his primary swing-and-miss pitch and generated a nearly 41% percent whiff rate in his debut. Howard’s curveball flashes plus 12-to-6 shape but needs further refinement. Howard has an easy, repeatable delivery that suggests future above-average control, though he didn’t show it in his debut. The Phillies were impressed by his stuff, feel and confidence attacking the zone.
  
  THE FUTURE: Howard profiles as a potential No. 2 or 3 starter with four above-average or better pitches if everything comes together. He showed encouraging signs in his big league debut and should continue to improve and adjust with more starts under his belt. Barring an unforeseen development, he should start the 2021 season back in the Phillies’ rotation.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: When Howard arrived at Cal Poly he was an 83-85 mph walk-on who wasn’t ready to be a college pitcher. He seemed destined for the club team, but he worked hard in the weight room during his redshirt freshman season and increased his velocity, which led to a solid summer as a reliever in the West Coast Collegiate League. He had an excellent redshirt freshman season as a reliever for Cal Poly, then moved into the rotation the next season. Howard’s stuff has steadily gotten better as a pro. He battled through a dead arm period early in 2018 but by September he was touching 100 mph in a no-hitter in the playoffs with low Class A Lakewood. Howard missed two months in 2019 with shoulder soreness, but he showed no ill effects after he returned. Making up for lost innings, he was one of the most effective pitchers in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Howard has a starter’s build and the potential for three above-average or better offspeed pitches, although the consistency of his breaking balls varies dramatically. His 93-99 mph fastball is a reliable, plus-plus weapon. He’s touched triple-digits and, unlike many fireballers, can stay on the edges of the strike zone. Howard’s mid-80s changeup was below-average when he signed, started flashing average last year and by the end of 2019 it was regularly flashing plus thanks to solid deception and some late tumble. He can break off a swing-and-miss curveball as well, although it’s not all that reliable. Sometimes his curve has a hump out of his hand, giving it the telltale signature that advanced hitters can recognize and lay off. He’ll also throw his share of 58-footers. But when he syncs everything up, it’s a 12-to-6 dive bomber that tunnels with his elevated fastball. His 85-88 mph plus slider is a little more consistent with late tilt but, like the curveball, there are nights when he doesn’t have the feel for it. Howard’s delivery is simple and repeatable and should lend him above-average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Howard's stint on the IL with shoulder stiffness was the only blemish in an outstanding season. He has taken strides in his two and a half pro seasons and now profiles as a potential No. 2 starter. He could be ready to pitch in Philadelphia by the second half of the 2020 season. Fastball: 70. Slider: 55. CHG: 55. Curveball: 55. Control: 55. BA GRADE 60 Risk: High
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: When Howard arrived at Cal Poly he was an 83-85 mph walk-on who wasn't ready to be a college pitcher. He seemed destined for the club team, but he worked hard in the weight room during his redshirt freshman season and increased his velocity, which led to a solid summer as a reliever in the West Coast Collegiate League. He had an excellent redshirt freshman season as a reliever for Cal Poly, then moved into the rotation the next season. Howard's stuff has steadily gotten better as a pro. He battled through a dead arm period early in 2018 but by September he was touching 100 mph in a no-hitter in the playoffs with low Class A Lakewood. Howard missed two months in 2019 with shoulder soreness, but he showed no ill effects after he returned. Making up for lost innings, he was one of the most effective pitchers in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Howard has a starter's build and the potential for three above-average or better offspeed pitches, although the consistency of his breaking balls varies dramatically. His 93-99 mph fastball is a reliable, plus-plus weapon. He's touched triple-digits and, unlike many fireballers, can stay on the edges of the strike zone. Howard's mid-80s changeup was below-average when he signed, started flashing average last year and by the end of 2019 it was regularly flashing plus thanks to solid deception and some late tumble. He can break off a swing-and-miss curveball as well, although it's not all that reliable. Sometimes his curve has a hump out of his hand, giving it the telltale signature that advanced hitters can recognize and lay off. He'll also throw his share of 58-footers. But when he syncs everything up, it's a 12-to-6 dive bomber that tunnels with his elevated fastball. His 85-88 mph plus slider is a little more consistent with late tilt but, like the curveball, there are nights when he doesn't have the feel for it. Howard's delivery is simple and repeatable and should lend him above-average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Howard's stint on the IL with shoulder stiffness was the only blemish in an outstanding season. He has taken strides in his two and a half pro seasons and now profiles as a potential No. 2 starter. He could be ready to pitch in Philadelphia by the second half of the 2020 season.