Scouting the Draft: Ed Howard Yes/No Smackdown

Hmm...I've been wanting to write a follow up post on draft prospect Ed Howard, who I already profiled and have not ranked highly on by boards, for awhile now, but I couldn't think of an angle for it.  Now, Eric Longenhagen of Fangraphs posted his first 2020 Mock Draft and who should show up on it to the Giants at #13, but......yep, Ed Howard!  So, is there some metaphysical convergence here of me thinking I might be selling Howard short and Eric Longenhagen mocking him to the Giants?  Let's break it down.

Ed Howard SS, HS.  Age on Draft Day:  18 yrs, 4 mos.  B-R, T-R.  6'2", 185 lbs.  Verbal Commitment: Oklahoma

PG Stats:  6.76 60 yd dash.  88 MPH IF Throws.  95 MPH Exit Velocity. Capsule Scouting Report:  "Showed big potential with bat at WWBA and followed up with outstanding showing at PG National.  Sky is the limit for him."  Going into more detail in their 2019 National Showcase report, "...plays balanced and smooth...big range, very fast and sure hands, solid arm strength and very quick release from multiple arm angles, accurate throws."  "....simple repeatable load, same lightning quick hands drive the barrel, very good bat speed with loud contact and consistent hard loud barrel, line drive contact now with power to come.  Everything in his game is balanced, athletic and explosive and will continue to improve as he gets stronger."

In both my opinion and Longenhagen's scenario, all of the top tier college bats and arms are off the board by the time the Giants pick at #13 which leaves a choice of reaching for the next tier or taking advantage of a situation where multiple top tier HS players on both sides of the ball are lined up for the taking.  That seems like an easy choice but the tough part is deciding which of these terrific prospects to take.  So far in this scenario, the only HS prospects off the board are Zac Veen OF and Mick Abel RHP.  That leaves Austin Hendrick OF, Robert Hassell OF, Tyler Soderstrom C, Jared Kelley RHP, Nick Bitsko RHP from the HS ranks.  There is also Garrett Crochet LHP and Cade Cavalli RHP from the college ranks if the medicals pass muster.  There is also Ed Howard who I have been kind of ignoring in my rankings. 

First, a few more scouting comments:  Fangraphs(ranked #11):  "He projects as an everyday big league shortstop."  MLB Pipeline(ranked #15):  "....has a high baseball IQ and a knack for slowing the game on both sides of the ball."

So, here is the smackdown question:  Should the Giants have Ed Howard ranked as one of their top 13 draft prospects for 2020?  Here are the arguments:

Yes:  1.  Howard is by far the top prospect who is projected to stay at SS in the major leagues.  2.  While none of the tools are elite, all five are close to elite which makes the total package better than the sum of it's parts.  3.  He will be significantly younger on draft day than say, Austin Hendrick, who I also think the Giants have their eye on.  Early indications from last year's draft suggest the FZ regime values youth in HS prospects.  4.  While the power is not there now, Exit Velocity and the frame strongly suggest more in the tank.  5.  There are no comparable shortstops later in this draft while there are comparable corner bats and pitchers.  6.  Shortstop is a relative organizational need for the Giants.  Marco Luciano is not a lock to stay at SS and other SS prospects are way down in rookie leagues.

No:  1.  Do the Giants really need another IF prospect who is good at a lot of things, but not great at any?  2.  Giants biggest organizational needs are power and pitching.  3.  Giants already have an elite shortstop prospect in Luciano and have other's who may emerge down in the system.

DrB's Verdict:  Yes!  After reviewing Howard's videos again, I am impressed by the wiry strength and projectability in the body.  Combine that with the positional advantage, he should be ranked by the Giants in their top 13 2020 draft prospects.