Chicago Cubs prospect Ed Howard is going through a prolonged absence.
The shortstop sustained a major hip damage Tuesday at High-A South Bend. The Cubs are nonetheless gathering data on the damage and figuring out the following steps. Howard hit the bottom awkwardly after attempting to keep away from being tagged on an errant throw to first base.
It’s a blow for Howard, 20, who has been restricted to solely 103 skilled video games for the reason that Cubs drafted him with the No. 16 choose within the 2020 draft out of Mount Carmel. Baseball America charges Howard their No. 18 prospect whereas MLB.com put him No. 14 of their preseason rankings.
President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer counseled Howard’s good angle concerning the scenario regardless of being bummed by the damage. He expects Howard to return again sturdy.
“It’s never good timing for injury like that,” Hoyer stated Saturday. “But it’s a disgrace. He labored so extremely exhausting this winter. I believe he bought stronger than anybody at our camp this winter. You take a look at the exit velocities, he introduced his strikeout fee down. He’s been taking part in his typical good protection.
“It’s a shame that his season is going to be cut short.”
The pandemic value Howard his debut 12 months when the 2020 minor-league season was canceled. He struggled at Low-A Myrtle Beach, producing a .225/.277/.315 slash line and 16 extra-base hits, 5.5 BB% and 30.1 Ok% in 80 video games (326 plate appearances). He additionally misplaced six weeks to a hamstring damage.
Howard responded properly to a disappointing season. He spent the winter on the Cubs’ complicated in Arizona to get hands-on instruction with minor-league employees, collaborating in a camp that includes greater than two dozen of the group’s high prospects.
The Cubs have been inspired by Howard’s 2022 begin after difficult him at South Bend. He was producing extra contact (20.4 Ok%) and getting on base at a greater clip (.323 on-base share and 9.7 BB%) via 23 video games. Now he faces a prolonged restoration.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com