There was a lot of buzz when the Phillies promoted pitching prospect Spencer Howard to Double-A Reading for Friday night’s start. Some speculated it’s curious timing considering the trade deadline, but the Phillies have held Howard very close in recent trade conversations.
The reason why they’ve held onto him so strongly showed Friday night in his Reading debut against New Hampshire.
On the road, Howard struck out 10 batters in 4.2 innings, giving up one run on four hits and two walks. Reading would take the loss when reliever Jonathan Hennigan allowed four runs in two and a third innings in a 5-1 loss.