Rockies call up Sam Howard for potential MLB debut

DENVER – The Colorado Rockies have announced that they have recalled left-handed pitcher (usually a starter) Sam Howard from Triple-A Albuquerque to join the bullpen. Harrison Musgrave has been placed on the bereavement list.

Howard (25) was drafted by the Rockies in the third round of the 2014 (Kyle Freeland) draft out of Georgia Southern University. In his minor league career, he has posted a 3.68 ERA in 99 games, 97 of which were starts.

He was recently ranked No. 16 on MLB Pipeline’s list of the Rockies Top 20 Prospects.

He has made nine start for Albuquerque this season and has a 3-4 record with a 4.68 ERA in the notoriously hitter-friendly PCL. He has struck out 33 and walked 20. He takes over in the long-reliever-who-is-also-a-lefty role for now though it remains to be seen how long he will remain on the roster with bereavement time off is usually only for a few games.

But Howard has long been an intriguing piece in the Rockies organization, showcasing potential versatility as a swing-man and going on some stretches in his career that still have many scouts and evaluators believing he can carve out a regular bottom-of-the-rotation role in the Majors.

With the Rockies currently experiencing a strange amount of good fortune when it comes to the health of their starters, Howard will get his opportunities to show he can hang with this level of competition out of the bullpen, a few innings at a time.

With the current state of the ‘pen, any amount of decent production from Howard could come as a massive breath of fresh air for the segment of the team that could most use one.

Our man in Albuquerque, Patrick Lyons, caught up with Howard for an exclusive conversation about his process and mindset. So be on the lookout for more details on the newest member of the Rockies very soon.