Per reports, Phillies’ top pitching prospect, Spencer Howard, will make his MLB debut on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves. The Phillies face the Braves in a doubleheader on Sunday and needed a spot start for the first of two games.
Spencer Howard could be an X-Factor for the Phillies the rest of the season. As their second top prospect and 37th prospect overall, he has a ton of potential. (Alec Bohm is the Phillies top prospect.) The hope is that he’ll be able to get called up and fill in as a reliable third starter in the rotation, and possibly ace later in his career.
The 24-year-old prospect was a second-round pick by the organization back in the 2017 MLB draft. In his six starts with Double-A Reading last season, Howard was dominant as he recorded an ERA of 2.35 in six starts.
If Howard can take a spot in the rotation, this may also push Vince Velasquez to a bullpen role. Velasquez would be much better for the team as a relief pitcher as he struggles with pitch counts.
As a Phillies fan, this is extremely exciting news, and I’m hoping for the best when Howard makes his debut on Sunday.
Follow me on Twitter @PodolskyDanny
Come discuss this and much more at the Overtime Heroics forums!