PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- Many Phillies fans are hoping that 24-year-old right-hander Spencer Howard can put and end to a trend that has troubled the franchise through its century-plus-long history: Homegrown pitchers typically do not succeed.
While the faithful were excited to see Howard's debut in 2020, his 5.92 ERA in 24 1/3 innings pitched over six starts wasn’t the smoothest of introductions to the big leagues.
Wednesday in Clearwater, Florida, Howard sounded like he has put 2020 in the rear view.
"For me, it was more just trying to flush it (after last season)," he said. "I know I wasn’t feeling my best physically, and that kinda trickled mentally onto the mound as well."
Right now, Howard’s role at the start of the 2021 season is unclear. He could win a spot in the back of the rotation. It seems like he is competing with at least Matt Moore and Chase Anderson, both new additions, as well as Vince Velasquez. Phillies Manager Joe Girardi indicated the bullpen could be an option at the beginning of the season as well. If Howard doesn’t make the rotation, that doesn’t necessarily mean he is heading to Triple A.
"We’re not really bound to saying he’s going to start, or that’s it," Girardi said.
The good news is it sounds like the 24-year-old is physically healthy after a rotator cuff inflammation last season — coinciding with occasional dips in velocity. He also had a shoulder injury in 2019, but last year was different.
"It wasn’t as sharp of a pain, like pinchy, in my shoulder," Howard said. "It was just more of like, ‘Oh, I don’t have that much there anymore,’ which was more concerning to me, honestly, because it was like, ‘Well, am I just a bad pitcher now? Am I going to throw slow forever? Is this the new me, I guess?’"
He said getting away from last year and having some time off really helped.
Howard sounded much more confident following this last offseason. He admitted MLB's COVID-19 pause after the first spring training affected him.
He said he's not sure where his speed stands yet, "Nobody’s come up to me in a panic saying, ‘How do you feel? Are you hurt?’ So, I think the numbers are good."
Whatever his role, the Phils are going to want his innings to increase. Girardi indicated they’ll have an innings plan, which will hopefully proceed organically over this year.
"I don’t think you can try to manipulate it too much, because I think you then get in the danger of them not getting to their innings, and then you’re worried about it again the next year, and then the next year," Girardi said. "So, we’ll cross the bridge when it comes, and we’ll continue to build him up to be a starter."
Girardi said Howard looks good and stronger so far and he believes his endurance will improve from 2020.
Howard echoed those sentiments.
"The way I feel right now, I feel better than probably the last three years going into spring training."