Howard off to impressive start in Modesto

Former Cartersville Hurricanes’ and Georgia Southern Eagles’ pitcher, Sam Howard, is off to a tremendous start with his new team.

Howard, now with the Modesto Nuts of the Class A Advanced California League, has started three games with a 1-0 record in 15 and 1/3 innings of work. The 23-year-old lefty has struck out 19 and walked seven with opponents hitting only .145 against him. His 0.98 WHIP is also an impressive, early season number.

Howard, a third round pick by the Colorado Rockies in 2014, was assigned to Modesto this season after spending the 2015 campaign with the Asheville Tourists.

Modesto has started the season with an 8-9 record and trails Visalia (Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate) by three games in the California League’s North Division.

Howard’s most recent start was April 20 at home against Bakersfield. He pitched 5 and 2/3 innings of shutout baseball, scattering three hits, two walks, and a hit batsman with seven strikeouts in a no decision. The Nuts eventually won the game, 1-0, with a run in the seventh inning. YouTube video of that performance from PurpleRowSBN: (Video footage from Colorado Rockies minor league LHP Sam Howard's start for the Modesto Nuts on April 20, 2016 against the Bakersfield Blaze at John Thurman Field in Modesto.)

Modesto travels for a three-game series with the division leading Visalia Rawhides April 26-28 where Howard is due his next start in the Nuts' rotation.