Drafted in the 15th round (466th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009 (signed for $260,000).
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Like many college pitchers this spring, Howell's draft stock has been volatile. Recruited as a two-way player, Howell shined as a pitcher in the Texas Collegiate League last summer and earned top prospect honors there, striking out 47 in 34 innings. Alabama intended to use him as a reliever this year, in a middle-relief, "moment of truth" role, but he wasn't 100 percent healthy as he recovered from a case of mononucleosis. In an effort to make up for lost innings, Alabama used Howell as a starter early in the season, and he flashed above-average stuff, including dominating Vanderbilt in a complete-game effort. His fastball touched 94 in relief last summer and sat at 89-92 mph at its best this spring. He's got natural sink and tail on the fastball as well and complements it with a good, hard slider in the low 80s. In relief, Howell was a two-pitch guy, but he flashed an average changeup this spring. He has thrown fewer than 100 innings in college, making him an intriguing, fresh arm for scouts who have seen him throw well. He doesn't have the innings under his belt to know how to get out of jams or fight through innings when he doesn't have his best stuff. He could go anywhere from the second to the fourth round.
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The Brewers think they got an absolute steal in Howell, a 15th-round pick in June who signed for $260,000. Poised to go in the early rounds after ranking as the top prospect in the Texas Collegiate League the previous summer, he was hampered by a bout with mononucleosis during the spring and went 5-3, 6.33. When he's 100 percent, Howell shows the potential for three plus pitches. He operates with an 88-92 mph sinker that touches 94, and he complements it with a sharp slider. He also has an effective changeup. Howell needs a bit more deception and sometimes has problems keeping his front side closed in his delivery. When he has his mechanics in order, he keeps hitters off balance. Howell signed at the end of July and worked just 12 innings in his pro debut. A two-way player at Alabama, he pitched just 83 innings in college and needs experience. He figures to open his first full season in low Class A.
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