Howard added to Rockies 40-man roster

Cartersville native and Colorado Rockies prospect Sam Howard was one of four players added to the Rockies’ 40-man roster before the reserves deadline Monday. The move protects left-handed pitcher Howard, right-handed pitcher Jesus Tinoco, catcher Chris Rabago, and outfielder Yonathan Daza from the Rule 5 draft at the upcoming winter meetings.

Howard was a Spring Training invitee in 2017 for the Rockies and the southpaw responded with a strong season for Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque.

The former Cartersville Hurricanes and Georgia Southern Eagles starter is one of Colorado’s top pitching prospects and is expected to begin 2018 again with the Isotopes in Albuquerque.

Howard, 24, was a third round draft selection for the Rockies in 2014.

In four minor league seasons with five different teams, Howard is 26-29 in 90 games (88 starts) with a 3.59 ERA in 470 innings pitched. He has 408 minor league career strikeouts and only 137 walks.

Last season at Triple-A, he was 4-4 in 14 starts with a 3.89 ERA.