When I discovered that Howard was going last night (at about 4 PM), I quickly adjusted my plans and went to the game. Good fun- left in the 6th, so I missed the Fisher Cats rally, which, of course, was a good thing.
Both Howard and Bohm looked great, Alec hit a sharp single to knock in Luke to tie the game but earlier hit a bomb to dead center which was caught at the wall The ball really jumps off his bat. Had good instincts in the field too on some strange plays resulting from inane shifts against hitters with .220 averages and less. (Why??) Moniak had a quiet night, and Cornelius didn't get on the field. Luke Williams (RF) has a low average but looked fantastic with 3 doubles and a lot of foot speed.
Howard literally blew them away. Went from 98 to 83 to 96 to 74 with a very consistent motion. Many 98s. I think the gun was pretty accurate too cause the opposing pitcher was a fast ball thrower and didn't get near 96. Great #s and even then I think he got squeezed. Bounced a few breaking balls but mostly right around the plate with all his pitches. Gets a few extra MPH from an easy, almost exaggerated, upper body rotation. Looked very graceful and repeatable with very little effort.
Howard's final line: 4.2 ip 4 h 1 er 2 BB, 10 k, 1 wp (82 pitches, 55 strikes). Only faced 20 batters.
https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/video/phillies-top-pitching-prospect-spencer-howard-dazzles-double-debut
One interesting socializing event-- Stood next to Spencer warming up before the game in the first row and as he threw, very nearly every pitcher in uniform came over behind him to watch his first warmup with the team. Clearly of great interest to all! Then a mass fist-punch, high five celebration when he broke to leave for the dugout. Seems like a very even keeled young man with a calm attitude. I think today is his 23 rd birthday. Striking out 8 of the first 9 outs is a pretty good present!
