Call to the pen
Fansided

Spencer Howard about to get the call from the Phillies

By David Hill

LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 22: A detailed view of a Philadelphia Phillies hat, Oakley sunglasses and a Rawlings baseball glove sitting in the dugout during the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. The game ended in an 8-8 tie. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 22: A detailed view of a Philadelphia Phillies hat, Oakley sunglasses and a Rawlings baseball glove sitting in the dugout during the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. The game ended in an 8-8 tie. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia Phillies are set to bring their top pitching prospect, Spencer Howard, to the majors to make his debut on Sunday.

The Philadelphia Phillies are in desperate need of pitching depth. Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler have been as expected, but the rest of the rotation has been a giant question mark thus far. In theory, the Phillies have reinforcements in their alternate training site, especially in top prospect Spencer Howard, but the organization has been loathe to put a heavy workload on his arm thus far.

However, the schedule has forced the Phillies’ hand. The Phillies have played just seven games this season due to games being canceled, and have six doubleheaders on their schedule. The first of those comes on Sunday.

With the need of pitching depth, and the Phillies already 3.5 games back in the NL East, the time has come. The organization is set to promote Howard to make his debut on Sunday, where he will start one of the games in the doubleheader.

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A second round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, Howard quickly rose through the organization. While shoulder issues limited him to just 71 innings last season, Howard did impress during his time on the mound. His 2.03 ERA and 0.831 WHiP, along with 94 strikeouts and 16 walks, made him a consensus top 40 prospect heading into 2020.

Despite that production, Howard would not have been a candidate for the Phillies rotation had the season begun in March as scheduled. Of those innings, only 30.2 came above A-ball, and Howard had yet to pitch in AAA. He was more likely to make his debut around the All Star Break than early in the season.

But desperate times call for desperate measures. The Phillies need arms, particularly in the rotation, and what they have is not working. Howard is their top pitching prospect, and is at least reasonably close to the majors. Whether or not he is ready, the time has come for Howard to make his debut.

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Spencer Howard is set to make his major league debut on Sunday. It may be due to necessity, but the Philadelphia Phillies may finally have that third starter they need.

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