Ryan Howard, SS. DOB: 7/25/1994. B-R, T-R. 6'2", 195 lbs. Drafted 2016 Round 5, #155 overall.
2018 AA: .273/.336/.396, 32 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, 9 SB, 8.2 BB%, 11.6 K%, 475 PA.
Howard's BA took a dip from .306 in 2917 at San Jose, but his OBP and SLG% was steady. Meanwhile, he improved his BB% from 4.1 and his K% from 14.3 and his ISO from .091 to .123 mostly on a big spike in doubles from 21 to 32 in 90 fewer PA's. Here's an interesting comp line:
.257/.333/.347, 27 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, 10 SB, 9.7 BB%, 11.4 K%, 599 PA.
That is Joe Panik's AA line from 2013. He went on to hit .321 in 326 PA in AAA in 2014 and .305 in 287 PA for the Giants. Howard will likely start 2019 in AAA Sacramento but could be called up anytime he's needed and should be able to handle MLB pitching. He's stayed at SS longer than Panik did but his future is likely more at 2B or 3B. Obviously he could be a utility guy too. I could easily have ranked him above Aramis Garcia and Chris Shaw, but gave the nod to their MLB experience.
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Depending on Panik, Hanson, and maybe Valera and Avelino, Howard could be sooner than later -- that's about it for middle infielders after Crawford, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThere needs to be 4 on the roster and he's about 6th, only a hamstring or headache away.
Is that depth -- or lack thereof?
Remember that Panik was only called on after Scutaro could no longer play. He's turned out well. I prefer refilling from within the organization to grabbing dumpster dives.
DeleteActually Scutaro began the season on the DL in 2014 and 2B was a rotation between Arias, Adrianza, and Hicks who were all entrenched in Mendoza-land when the 23-yo Panik was brought up in late May. He floundered also until he caught on after a month or so, and blossomed.
DeletePanik also had a good 2015 and a pretty good 2017 (except some fielding lapses, mostly injury -- back -- related).
He has been very good when healthy but has had to play when he wasn't because 2B has been an adventure for SF since Kent except for Sanchez, Scutaro, and Panik who have unfortunately had close relationships with the DL.
Arguably, a successful 2Bman is key to the Giants success!