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Spencer Howard, P
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Scouting report
Howard's stuff was just not as crisp in 2020 as it was at the end of 2019 as he dealt with rotator cuff inflammation. He and Casey Mize are back to back on the Top 100: guys with front end stuff, but recent injuries. Howard's fastball was sitting 93-97 deep into his best 2019 Fall League outings but only averaged 94 in 2020, and his command backed up, too. I'm taking a longview here. Remember that we're talking about a small school pop-up reliever who, due to a past shoulder injury and the pandemic, has just one full pro season as a starter. Howard has impact stuff. His changeup is plus, he can blow his fastball past lefties near their hands, his slider has big time action to his glove side, and his low-70s curveball is a nice look to present hitters the second and third time through the lineup. His breaking ball lacked backfoot angle in 2020 but, based on how Howard has described his shoulder issues impacting how he pitched, that may come if he and the Phillies staff can find a way to put the shoulder problems in the rearview. There are three or four bat-missing pitches in Howard's bag when he's and loose. (Alternate site, MLB)