Ryan Howard

2013

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2012

For the second year in a row, Howard made the last out in the playoffs for the Phillies. That wasn't the only negative in Howard's last game of the season as he also ruptured his Achilles' tendon and had surgery shortly thereafter. Howard finished the 2011 season with similar statistics to his 2010 campaign. His HR/FB rate was at 22 percent last year, up just a tick from his 21 percent mark in 2010, but well below the low-to-mid 30 percent clip he posted during his monster offensive years. If Howard's HR/FB rate has permanently regressed, it is likely we've seen the last of his 40-home run seasons. Howard will likely begin the 2012 season on the disabled list recovering from his injury, which will take a toll on his overall numbers. The Phillies have suggested Howard could be back in May, but that is far from a certainty.

2011

Howard failed to top 40 home runs for the first time since 2005, the year he broke into the majors. He missed some time with an ankle injury, but he likely would not have topped 40 home runs even if he managed to stay healthy the whole year as his 21 percent HR/FB rate was the lowest of his career since he became a full-time player. Manager Charlie Manuel said this winter that Howard never fully recovered from the ankle injury and that may have affected his ability to drive the ball the last few months of the season. Howard will be healthy heading into spring training and remains one of the premier sluggers in baseball. He's still in the prime of his career and for that reason we believe he is likely to bounce back and post a home run rate that is more in line with his career norm.

2010

Howard finished third in the NL MVP voting after putting together another monster year for the Phillies. He topped 40 home runs for the third straight year and 140 RBI for the second consecutive season. He even swiped a career-high eight bases in 2009. Howard's weakness, outside of his shaky but improving defense at first base, is his tendency to strike out. He's topped 185 strikeouts three years in a row. Those strikeouts can take a toll on his batting average especially if they are coupled with a low BABIP like in 2008 when Howard hit .251 on balls in play. Howard makes a great investment as a first-round pick despite the batting average risk because there are few players who have his light-tower power and consistent offensive production.

2009

Though it was a bumpy ride to reach his final total, Howard finished the 2008 season with big-time numbers, batting .251 with a league-best 48 home runs and 146 RBI. He also matched his 2007 output with 199 strikeouts. Howard experienced well-documented struggles at the beginning of the year, batting just .234 before the All-Star break, but went .276 after and remained the most productive home run and RBI producer throughout. His value takes a significant hit in leagues that penalize strikeouts, but Howard is an elite power-hitting option in most formats.

2008

Howard's batting average plummeted in 2007, 45 points from last season to .268 and his OBP dipped 33 points to .392, but his power numbers remained superb, ranking him among the league leaders despite the fact that he missed half of May with an injury. Howard will always have amazing power numbers, but until he cuts back on the wild swinging he's going to have his share of streaks and slumps. His .221, three-homer April led to a lot of nail biting and ulcer medication, luckily, he picked up the pace in May. This season will bring a lot of monster shots and hopefully more patience.

2007

Howard emerged as a superstar in 2006 by smashing 58 homers on his way to becoming the NL MVP in his first season as a major league regular. He homered against 19 of the 20 teams he faced—only the Pirates kept him in the yard. He wasn't a Citizens Bank Park wonder, either, as he hit for a better average (.318 to .309) and for the same power (29 HR) on the road. He kept the Phillies in the race after the break by hitting an incredible .355 with 30 HR, 78 RBI and 77 BB in 75 games. Howard's defense (14 errors) and strikeout totals are only minor concerns.

2006

Howard seized the moment halfway through 2005 when Jim Thome had elbow surgery and won the NL Rookie of the Year award. He hit so well in the second half that the Phillies dealt Thome to the White Sox and he now has the first base job to himself. As a rookie power hitter, Howard struggled in predictable areas: against lefthanders, on the road and with a high strikeout rate. His defense also needs work. Nevertheless, at this point David Ortiz comparisons are looking less far-fetched.

2005

Howard did a David Ortiz impression in 2004, smashing home runs from Double-A all the way to the majors. He hit 48 in all, tying Adrian Beltre for most in the pros. Blocked from first base and left field in Philadelphia for the next several years, Howard continued to rake in the AFL while learning the outfield. Howard does have holes in his swing (180 strikeouts), but is clearly deserving of a full shot. The Phillies need to trade or make room for him, as it doesn't look like there is much point in him tearing up Triple-A in 2005.

2004

Howard was one of the best offensive players in the Phillies' minor-league organization, as he finished second among Phils farmhands in average (.304), home runs (23) and RBI (82) while in the Florida State League. He did strike out 151 times. One other negative - Howard has a big roadblock in front of him in Jim Thome at first base.

2003