Phillies select Cal Poly RHP Spencer Howard in the second round

With the No. 45 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, the Phillies selected Cal Poly right-handed pitcher Spencer Howard in the second round.

After skipping over a college pitcher in the first round of the draft, the Phillies took one in the second round, selecting Cal Poly right-handed pitcher Spencer Howard with their second-round pick.

Howard redshirted his freshman year before pitching two seasons at Cal Poly. He pitched mostly out of the bullpen in 2016 but transitioned to a starting role this season. In 87.2 innings, Howard posted a 1.95 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 4.22 strikeout-to-walk ratio this season.

Here is MLB.com’s profile on Howard, who they ranked as the No. 99 overall prospect in this year’s draft:

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Cutter: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45The 6-foot-3 right-hander has used a four-pitch arsenal to dominate the Big West Conference this spring. His fastball has been up to 93-94 mph consistently and he backs it up with an above-average slider he throws in the 80-84 mph range. He’ll show an upper-80s cutter and has feel for his changeup as well.While he had been a reliever initially, Howard’s arm works well and he throws strikes. With a clean delivery and strong frame, he’s showing more and more that he has what it takes to start, a reason why he had some helium as the spring wore on.

With a 45 overall ranking from MLB.com, Howard could slide in anywhere in the back half of the team’s top 30 prospect list.

The slot value for the No. 45 pick is $1.5 million. Unlike the first round, it isn’t much of a drop from the first pick in the second round as the Twins have $1.8 million allocated for Landon Leach, their second-round pick.

Howard’s former teammate and former Phillies prospect Matt Imhof, who lost his eye in an excersize accident, approved of the pick.

Last season, the Phils went over slot with their second-round pick, giving Kevin Gowdy a $3.5 million bonus. That bonus was more than double the allocated $1,536,200 slot money for the pick.

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This time around, they might wind up signing Howard for less than the slot value since he was ranked far below where he was selected.

In the first round, Philadelphia selected Virginia outfielder Adam Haseley. He and his teammate Pavin Smith were linked to the Phils heavily prior to the draft. With Smith off the board, Haseley became the No. 8 overall pick.

Haseley is an above-average hitter with above-average speed, but his power is questionable and he may not stay in center field long-term.

The slot value for the No. 8 pick is $4.8 million, but the team hopes they can sign Haseley for less. That would give them more money to assign whomever they select on Day Two of the draft.

Next: Phillies Farm System Report: New Names

Just prior to Philadelphia, the Braves selected high school outfielder Drew Waters. The Pirates followed with a high school pitcher, Steve Jennings, then the Athletics selected LSU outfielder Greg Deichmann. The Diamondbacks took Louisville third baseman Drew Ellis off the board one selection before Philadelphia was on the clock.