Howard's start tonight for Reading is on the road in Manchester, New Hampshire.
The Phillies drafted the 22-year-old righty in the second round of the 2017 draft. He's a power pitcher with a lively fastball that routinely sits in the mid-90s complemented by an above-average slider and a curve and changeup. He posted a 3.78 ERA over 23 starts last year with Single-A Clearwater and tossed a no-hitter for the Blue Claws in the South Atlantic League playoffs.
He began this season with Single-A Clearwater and dealt with shoulder fatigue in late-April. He missed all of June before returning to the Threshers' rotation where he posed a 2-1 record over seven starts to go along with a 1.29 ERA. He held opponents to a .162 batting average, posted a 0.69 WHIP, and collected 48 strikeouts over 35 innings.
At a minimum, the next two months are an audition for Howard to potentially enter Spring Training next year with a chance to earn a rotation spot.
It all begins tonight in New Hampshire.
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Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PGordonPBR
