J.P. Howell

In many ways, Howell is a lefthanded version of Longhorns teammate Huston Street. Listed generously at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, he has a fastball that sits at 85-86 mph and tops out at 89. But he has a plus breaking ball, a curveball that devastates lefties and keeps righties at bay, plus command of his fastball and a huge heart. A nasty splitter also helps, and a developing changeup serves as his fourth pitch. Hitters have trouble picking up Howell's pitches, none of which ever seem to catch the heart of the plate. A second-round pick by the Braves out of high school, Howell should go in the same area this June. Teams that emphasize statistical analysis may consider taking him a round earlier after checking out this line: 13-2, 2.01, 112 innings, 69 hits, 41 walks, 134 strikeouts.