[ayaghmour2]

C Eddie Howard (#36 Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 20th Overall (1941)
AAA: .325/.380/.428 (119 OPS+), 536 PA, 37 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 58 RBI
AAA: 4-0, 2 SV, 30.1 IP, 3.86 ERA (101 ERA+), 1.45 WHIP, 14 BB, 20 K
CWL: .292/.404/.403 (125 OPS+), 8 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 14 RBI
CWL: 5-3, 65.2 IP, 4.25 ERA (90 ERA+), 1.69 WHIP, 42 BB, 31 K

Instead of pitching Eddie Howard every fifth game, I really wish the Stallions would use Ron Berry, or even Bob Petty, Roscoe Brown, or Bill Holloway, but instead, our 23-year-old catcher has made 8 somewhat okay. Luckily, with adequate off days it hasn't stopped him from catching, so Howard has still appeared in all 39 games for the Stallions. As expected, he's getting plenty of hits, but he's also allowing even more. He's conceded 69 base hits in 65.2 innings, and when you add in 42 walks it inflates his WHIP to an ghastly 1.69. He has struck out 31 hitters, good for a 4.2 K/9, so his 3.48 FIP (90 FIP-) is actually a bit above average. So even though he's unlucky in terms of ERA, he really shouldn't be 5-3, while Duke Bybee is 2-6 despite a much better 3.78 ERA (101 ERA+) and his dominant 2.81 FIP (73 FIP-) and 5.5 K/9.

Most of his production has came at the plate, producing a 132 WRC+ with 8 doubles, a triple, 2 homers, and 14 RBIs. He's hitting a solid .292/.404/.403 (125 OPS+) with exactly twice as many walks (24) as strikeouts (12). The winter has served as an early trial for Howard, who currently ranks as our best position player prospect. Formerly our only legitimate catcher prospect, Howard now has to deal with trade acquisition Mike Bordes and second rounder Garland Phelps. This doesn't effect him too much, as the 23-year-old is the only one close to contributing, and two catchers can always coexist. With Harry Mead now 32, he's on the back half of his career, and is more at risk of losing a roster spot then Howard because of the new additions. I mentioned earlier with Phelps that he's almost a combo of Howard and Mead at the plate, as Howard shares the tremendous bat-to-ball skills that Phelps has shown in high school. He's also a pretty solid defender, so if he can hit .300 with a .400 OBP, it won't matter if he doesn't provide the power Mead and Phelps can. Since Phelps is still 17, he's a full six years younger then Howard, which is almost perfect for them to share time.

Howard's floor is already a quality backup catcher, but the talented youngster could be one of the better catchers of the early 50s. Only former 4th Overall Pick Ike Perry ranks higher then Howard on the prospect list, and he's just three spots higher. His elite hit tool may be the best in our farm, rivaling even Leo Mitchell and Harry Sharp on the big league club. Like Tom Weinstock, Dixie Marsh still gives Homer Guthrie a slight edge on current talent, and since I don't mind if Guthrie isn't playing every day, Howard seems likely to start the season in the minors. He'll have a chance to hit his way up, as an early season struggle from Mead (it is an odd year after all) could open up a spot for him. This guy deserves to start, but Mead is a top-5 catcher who has given us 130-ish games a season since 1942 with last year's 2.5 WAR the only season he failed to hit 3. Not many catchers have one 5 WAR season, let alone 2, although that's something Howard seems more then likely to do. Howard's time will come, so I'm hoping for now the former 2nd Rounder will learn as much as he can from our 2-Time All Star.