PHILADELPHIA --
Howard earned the first win of his career, and he is now 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA after four starts. He leaned heavily on his four-seam fastball and slider in his first three outings, throwing those pitches a combined 80.2 percent of the time. On Monday, he mixed his fastball (52 percent), slider (21 percent), changeup (20 percent) and curveball (8 percent) more effectively.\n\nIt caught Joe Girardi's eye.\n\n“I saw his whole repertoire,” the manager said. “He was not using it \\[before\\]. It’s not unusual for a young player not be comfortable right away and to kind of feel your way through some starts. I remember as a catcher. It’s nerve wracking. It’s hard when you’re out there and ... you’re trying to establish yourself. I hope today is just a big step for him, that he understands that he can really compete at this level and he can use all his pitches and have success.”
Howard is the No. 35 prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. His start on Aug. 9 against Atlanta was the most highly anticipated debut by a Phillies prospect since Aaron Nola in 2015 or maybe even Cole Hamels in '06.\n\nSeveral pitching prospects within MLB Pipeline's Top 100 list have started games this season. The results are mixed: Casey Mize (No. 8) is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts with the Tigers; Nate Pearson (No. 9) is 0-0 with a 6.61 ERA in four starts with the Blue Jays; Jesús Luzardo (No. 13) is 2-1 with a 3.71 ERA in seven appearances (five starts) with the A’s; Sixto Sánchez (No. 24) is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two starts with the Marlins; Ian Anderson (No. 41) is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in one start with the Braves; Brady Singer (No. 61) is 1-3 with a 5.19 ERA in seven starts with the Royals; and Deivi Garcia (No. 99) pitched six scoreless innings in one start with the Yankees.\n\nPerhaps Howard will be able to get into a rhythm with more regular work. He last pitched on Aug. 20.
“It’s been a while since he pitched,” said