By Theo DeRosa, Sports Talk Philly staff
With their second-round pick, the No. 45 overall selection in the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft, the Phillies filled a need clamored for by a large swath of the team's fanbase: a college pitcher.
Matt Klentak, Johnny Almaraz and Co. spent the selection on right-hander Spencer Howard, a sophomore out of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Howard attended Templeton High School from which he graduated in 2014. He posted a career 2.25 ERA for the Big West school in 124 innings pitched, walking 36 and striking out 136 in his college career.
Both Howard and first-round pick Adam Haseley are expected to sign with the Phillies and expected to head to Class A Lakewood, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.
The Phillies currently lack impact pitching in the majors and the upper minors and D1baseball.com's Frankie Piliere likes the 20-year-old Howard's potential to reach the MLB level quickly:
#Phillies pick of Spencer Howard stands out. All sorts of action on his fastball & nasty slider. He's a guy who could get to the bigs fast
— Frankie Piliere (@FPiliereD1) June 13, 2017
