Brian Howard

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #15 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Howard used his 6-foot-9 height to his advantage in four years at Texas Christian--he struck out a batter per inning and recorded a 1.11 WHIP--before signing with the Athletics as an eighth-round senior in 2017. He advanced to Double-A Midland for the second half of 2018 and ranked among the organization's leaders for ERA (2.91) and strikeouts (140).
  
  Scouting Report: Howard mixes four average pitches and throws strikes, which has been too much for minor league hitters to handle. He generates plus plane and angle on his 89-92 mph two-seam fastball that sits 91 and peaks at 93. He changes eye levels and upsets opponents' timing with a slow 12-to-6 curveball in the low 70s that is his swing-and-miss weapon. He pairs his curve with a sweepy slider in the high 70s. Howard's above-average mid-80s cutter was a go-to pitch in college and he still uses it to good effect to his glove side. His average changeup shows fade and separation. He could add velocity if he fills out his ultra-lean frame.
  
  The Future: Howard's repertoire allows him to operate at various velocity registers, while his control forces batters to be ready for any pitch in any count. He might not have a plus pitch in his repertoire, but his extreme height and pitching style share similarities with Doug Fister. He will be a candidate to pick up major league starts as a No. 5 type.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #345 prospect in 2017 draft
  A 17th-round pick of the Astros last year, Howard should be a solid senior sign this year as a massive (6-foot-9) righthander with durability and solid if unspectacular stuff. Howard has been a regular member of the Horned Frogs rotation for two seasons, keeping hitters off balance largely with his mid-80s cutter, which plays well off his 88-92 mph fastball. He shows at least average control and an ability to throw his fringy curveball and changeup for strikes. While Howard lacks a plus pitch, his ability to mix four pitches well gives him survival skills and a high floor.
• Ranked #276 prospect in 2016 draft
  An extremely tall (6-foot-9) and skinny (190 pound) righthander who emerged as Texas Christian's Saturday starter this season, Howard proved a very reliable innings-eater for the Horned Frogs. He fills the zone with an 88-90 mph fastball and an 82-87 mph cutter that is his main weapon--his slow curve is a get-over below-average offering at this piont. Howard missed one week midway through the season with soreness but showed no further ill effects; in fact his best start of the season came when he returned. He started working a changeup into his repertoire late in the season but it's a very fringy offering at this point. Howard doesn't have a high ceiling, but as a tall righthander with present control and feel, he also has a high floor.
• Ranked #279 prospect in 2013 draft
  If teams retained a high school player's rights after he went to college, Howard would be an early pick. He's as projectable as it gets at 6-foot-9 and 190 pounds, and he shows tremendous feel for such a tall pitcher. But he's not ready for pro ball at this point and will almost certainly attend Texas Christian. Howard pitches at 86-97 mph and peaks a 91, with room to add strength and velocity in the future. He's still figuring out his delivery but keeps it in sync and doesn't have any problem throwing strikes. His curveball usually tops out in the upper 60s, and he also uses a cutter and changeup.

• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Some of Howard's 5.81 ERA through 13 games at Triple-A Las Vegas can be explained away by the harsh environment he pitches in every fifth day. Oakland used Howard as a starter this year but experimented with the 6-foot-9 righty in a multi-inning role out of the bullpen in his last two starts. That's likely Howard's role in the big leagues, where the angle of his low-90s fastball can frustrate hitters and play up in shorter bursts.