Phillies prospect Spencer Howard dominates Trenton
The Phillies future is looking brighter with Spencer Howard dominating.
Arguably the Phillies best pitching prospect, Spencer Howard knows a thing about dominating in the playoffs. He threw a no-hitter for Lakewood on Sept. 7, 2018, and nearly one year to the day he flirted with perfection once again in the playoffs.
Facing off against the Trenton Thunder, Howard threw 5.1 no-hit innings for Reading and struck out 12 through seven innings allowing one run off two hits.
Mike Drago of the Reading Eagle summed up Howard’s night well in this tweet.
Spencer Howard's night is done: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, career-high 12 Ks. 99 pitches, 66 strikes. Touched 98 with fastball; showed tremendous change-up. #phillies #fightins
— Mike Drago (@mldrago) September 5, 2019
Unfortunately, Reading reliever and Philadelphia native Jeff Singer blew a three-run lead to drop game one of the Divisional Round of the Eastern League Playoffs 4-3.
Top prospect Alec Bohm went 1-4 and the number one pick of the 2016 MLB Draft Mickey Moniak was 0-3 with two strikeouts in the loss.
Howard’s success for Reading this year, with whom he has a 2.35 ERA this season, has been incredible to follow from afar. Many have suggested the Phillies should bring him up once Reading’s playoff run is over to help the big league club get over the hump.
Philadelphia could throw Howard out for a spot start to get his feet wet or mix him into the bullpen for a couple of innings. With the way he’s pitched this year it’s not out of the question Howard starts the 2020 season in the big league rotation. There’s almost no doubt he’ll start the season no lower than Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
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The Phillies certainly need some pitching help, and while they shouldn’t rely on someone like Howard to have a major impact next year, he should at the very least be a part of the big league club in 2020.