J. P. Howell

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2⁄3 innings. [17] He started eight games for the Devil Rays and was 1–3 with a 5.10 ERA. [11] He split the 2007 season between the Devil Rays and the Bulls. In the minors, he was 7–8 with a 3.38 ERA in 21 starts [12] and started game one of the International League championship series. [18] In the majors, he started ten games and was 1–6 with a 7.59 ERA. [11]

In 2008, the Rays decided to move him out of the starting rotation and into the bullpen, a change which led to an increase in velocity on his pitches and a better break on his breaking balls. [19] He went 6-1 with a 2.22 ERA in 64 games, striking out 92 batters while earning three saves. [11] He also pitched in the 2008 World Series, in which he took the loss in the deciding game five against the Philadelphia Phillies. [20]

Howell became the Rays closer in June 2009 after an injury to Troy Percival. He converted his first ten save opportunities and had a 1.64 ERA in 22 innings but after Ryan Langerhans of the Seattle Mariners hit a two-run homer off him on August 7 he blew three straight save opportunities. "Terrible feeling" he told the press. [21] He rebounded and finished the season with a 7–5 record and a 2.84 ERA in 69 games with 17 saves. [11]

In 2010, Howell suffered from what was reported as "weakness" in his left shoulder during spring training, causing him to begin the season on the disabled list. [22] He threw in a simulated game on May 17, but stopped after only twelve pitches, still experiencing discomfort in his shoulder. [23] A few days later he underwent surgery on the shoulder to repair a torn labrum, causing him to miss the entire 2010 season. [24]

Howell was expected to miss the start of the following season as well [25] and was non-tendered by the Rays on December 10, 2010, to avoid arbitration. [26] He was re-signed on December 13 to a one-year, $1.1 million, deal with the Rays. [27]

Howell rejoined the Rays roster on May 20, 2011, [28] and pitched in 46 games in 2011, with a 6.16 ERA. [11] In 2012, he signed another one-year contract with the Rays, for $1.35 million, [29] and pitched in 55 games with a 3.04 ERA. [11]

Los Angeles Dodgers

Howell during his tenure with the Dodgers 20140919 J.P. Howell (2).JPG
Howell during his tenure with the Dodgers

On January 4, 2013, Howell agreed to a one-year, $2.85 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. [30] He was a key part of the Dodgers bullpen, appearing in 67 games with a 4-1 record and 2.03 ERA. [11] After the season, he re-signed with the Dodgers on a two-year, $11.25 million, contract that contained a third-year option. [31] He had a 2.39 ERA in 68 appearances for the team in 2014. [11] In the 2015 season, he was 6–1 with a 1.43 ERA in 65 appearances. [32] After the season, Howell exercised his $6.25 million player option for 2016. [33] He was not as effective in 2016, as he had a 4.09 ERA in 64 appearances out of the bullpen. [34]

Toronto Blue Jays

On February 9, 2017, Howell signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. [35] [36] On August 16, Howell was designated for assignment. [37] He was released on August 20. [38]

San Rafael Pacifics

On May 29, 2018, Howell signed with the San Rafael Pacifics of the Pacific Association.

Pitching style

Howell is a soft tosser. He throws his sinker in the mid 80's, topping out at 90 MPH. He also throws a knuckle-curve that has been described by scouts as "heavy" because of its extremely sharp downward break, and some even classify it as a slider. [39] He throws a change-up that breaks away from right-handed hitters. Howell has solid command of all three pitches. [40]

He was an excellent fielding pitcher in his major league career. In 619.2 innings pitched covering 547 games, Howell committed only one error in 146 total chances for a .993 fielding percentage. [11]

Personal life

In 2009, he married Heather Hennessy, whom he met at USC, [41] a former USC 800 meter runner and Fox Sports reporter [41] who is a member of the Los Gatos High School Athletic Hall of Fame. [42] The couple founded Discover Your Path Foundation to reach out to kids together. [43] In 2011, Heather Hennessy-Howell published a children's book, 'The Adventures of Dangles' with an anti-bullying theme. [44] In August 2016, his wife filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, listing their date of separation as August 8. [45]

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References

  1. ↑ "J.P. Howell Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  2. 1 2 "J.P. Howell USC bio". USCTrojans.com. Archived from the original on May 26, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Resolution of the City Council: Recognizing James Phillip "JP" Howell". City of Sacramento. July 24, 2001. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  4. ↑ "2001 Draft Picks by round – round 2". Baseball Cube. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "J.P. Howell player profile". Baseball Cube. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  6. ↑ Cocoles, Chris (2002). "NCAA SUPER REGIONALS: MOON SHOTS AT USC QUIRKY INFIELDER LIKED BY ALL". LA Daily News. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  8. ↑ "2002 Bourne Braves". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  9. ↑ "2003 Wareham Gatemen". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Texas crushes Arkansas at CWS". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Associated Press. June 19, 2004. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "J.P. Howell Statistics & History". Baseball Reference.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "J.P. Howell Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  13. ↑ "June 11, 2005 Kansas City Royals at Arizona Diamondbacks play-by-play and box score". Baseball Reference. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. ↑ Zieger, Dan (June 12, 2005). "Royals rookie keeps D-Backs at bay to win debut 8-5". East Valley Tribune. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  15. ↑ McNabb, Kevin (June 4, 2006). "June 4 Notes: Royals at Round Rock". milb.com. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Devil Rays deal Gathright to Royals for LHP Howell". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 21, 2006. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  17. ↑ "August 1, 2006 Detroit Tigers at Tampa Bay Devil Rays play-by-play and box score". Baseball Reference. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  18. ↑ Byrnes, Patrick (September 11, 2007). "Bulls drop Game 1 of Governor's Cup to Braves". The Duke Chronicle. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  19. ↑ Fleming, Ted (April 19, 2008). "J.P. HOWELL: A NICE FIT IN RAYS BULLPEN". scout.com. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  20. ↑ "2008 World Series (4-1): Philadelphia Phillies (92-70) over Tampa Bay Rays (97-65)". Baseball Reference. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  21. ↑ Seattle Times Staff (August 30, 2009). "One hard hit: HR sends Rays' Howell tumbling". Seattle Times. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  22. ↑ Topkin, Marc (March 19, 2010). "Key reliever J.P. Howell has shoulder weakness, will miss start of season". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Rays' Howell has discomfort in shoulder". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 17, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  24. ↑ Slowinski, Steve (May 18, 2010). "Report: J.P Howell to Have Surgery, Out Remainder of Season". SB Nation. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  25. ↑ Topkin, Marc (December 1, 2010). "Tampa Bay Rays' J.P. Howell won't be ready for spring". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  26. ↑ Miller, Doug (December 3, 2010). "Jenks, Martin, Okajima among 52 non-tenders". mlb.com. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  27. ↑ BHSN.com Staff Report (December 13, 2010). "Relief pitcher J.P. Howell signs one-year contract with Tampa Bay Rays". Bay News 9. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Rays activate J.P. Howell". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 20, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Lefty J.P. Howell avoids arbitration". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 16, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  30. ↑ Stephen, Eric (January 4, 2013). "J.P. Howell reportedly joins Dodgers bullpen". SB Nation. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  31. ↑ Saxon, Mark (December 17, 2013). "Dodgers, lefty J.P. Howell agree". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  32. ↑ "2015 Los Angeles Dodgers Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistic". Baseball Reference. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  33. ↑ Stephen, Eric (November 4, 2015). "J.P. Howell reportedly exercises 2016 player option worth $6.25 million". SB Nation. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  34. ↑ "2016 Los Angeles Dodgers Batting, Pitching & Fielding Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Blue Jays designate A.J. Jimenez, Chad Girodo for assignment". Sportsnet . February 9, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  36. ↑ Chisholm, Gregor (February 9, 2017). "Blue Jays make deals with Howell, Smith official". MLB.com. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  37. ↑ "Blue Jays designate J.P. Howell, Mike Ohlman for assignment". Sportsnet . August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  38. ↑ "Toronto Blue Jays Transactions in August 2017". MLB.com. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  39. ↑ "J.P. Howell » PitchFx » Overview | FanGraphs Baseball". Fangraphs.com. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  40. ↑ "J.P. Howell Pitch Repertoire At-A-Glance". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  41. 1 2 "Heather's Path". Discoveryourpath.com. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  42. ↑ Sparrer, Dick (October 28, 2013). "Fees among 10 Los Gatos athletes headed into the Hall of Fame". Contra Costa Times. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  43. ↑ PR Newswire (October 4, 2013). "Dodger's Pitcher, JP Howell And Wife Heather Hennessy Howell, Launched Newly Redesigned Website Discover Your Path". The Business Journals. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  44. ↑ Topkin, Marc (October 23, 2010). "J.P. Howell's wife presents children's book today at Times Festival | Tampa Bay Times". Tampabay.com. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  45. ↑ "L.A. Dodgers' J.P. Howell's Wife Calls for Divorce". TMZ.com. August 11, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
J. P. Howell
J.P. Howell in 2013 NLDS.jpg
Howell with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013
Pitcher
Born: (1983-04-25) April 25, 1983 (age 40)
Modesto, California, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
June 11, 2005, for the Kansas City Royals
Last MLB appearance
August 13, 2017, for the Toronto Blue Jays
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