While the starters have grabbed all the attention from a Shorebird pitching staff that’s near the top of the league, the fact that several starters are on a fairly strict inning limit makes long relief a valuable position to be in. Trent Howard is an example.
Take Monday’s 4-1 Shorebird win as a case study. While starter Dylan Bundy grabbed the headlines with a superb four-inning performance, the game came down to an excellent five-inning stint from Howard. He got the win while scattering six hits and allowing one run; more importantly he gave the rest of the bullpen a breather after a Sunday doubleheader.
Howard hails from Hammond, Indiana by way of Central Michigan University. The former Chippewa was a 7th round pick in last year’s draft by the Orioles and pitched well enough at Aberdeen (3-2, 3.48 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP, fanning 45 while walking 14 in 41 1/3 innings) to merit a promotion. And while Trent isn’t a member of the rotation, 3 of his last 4 outings have backed up Dylan Bundy’s starts, making him sort of a shadow member of the starting six.
Obviously the Orioles liked something about the 22-year-old lefty and have chosen to place him in situations where he pitches multiple innings per outing. Presumably if Howard can stay healthy and other expected events take place, he can move into the starting rotation easily enough. By season’s end he may be one of the better pitchers in the SAL based on the 2-0 record, 1.86 ERA and 1.19 WHIP he’s compiled thus far.
He won’t make you forget that guy he tends to back up, but in his own right Howard has a chance to be a solid lefty starter as he works up the Orioles system.