Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies selected Howard in the third round,with the 82nd overall selection,of the 2014 MLB draft. [2] [4] He signed with the Rockies,receiving a $672,100 signing bonus. [5] Howard made his professional debut with the Grand Junction Rockies of the Rookie-level Pioneer League, [1] where he spent all of 2014,posting a 1–3 win–loss record with a 5.40 earned run average (ERA) in 14 games. In 2015,he played for the Asheville Tourists of the Class A South Atlantic League [6] where he went 11–9 with a 3.43 ERA,along with a 1.22 WHIP. Howard began the 2016 season with the Modesto Nuts of the Class A-Advanced California League, [7] and received a midseason promotion to the Hartford Yard Goats of the Class AA Eastern League. [8] In 27 total games between Modesto and Hartford,Howard pitched to a 9–9 record and 3.35 ERA.
Howard was invited by the Rockies to 2017 spring training. He returned to Hartford to begin 2017,and after posting a 2.33 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 46.1 innings,he was promoted to the Albuquerque Isotopes of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League,where he finished the season,going 4–4 with a 3.89 ERA. [9] The Rockies added him to their 40-man roster after the season. [10]
Howard began the 2018 season with Albuquerque. He made his major league debut on June 10. [11] He threw four innings for the Rockies with a 2.25 ERA. He also had a 5.06 ERA in 21 games started for Albuquerque. The Rockies non-tendered him after the 2018 season. [12] Howard later re-signed to a minor league contract on December 18,2018. [13] On July 21,2019,the Rockies selected Howard's contract. [14]
Pittsburgh Pirates
On October 30,2019,Howard was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates. [15] Becoming a relief pitcher in 2020,Howard had a 2-0 record and a 3.86 ERA with 27 strikeouts against nine walks in 21 innings pitched. [16] In 2021,he had a 3-4 record and a 5.60 ERA in 45 innings. [17]
Howard began the 2022 season with the Pirates,allowing two runs in two innings pitched before he was optioned to the Indianapolis Indians on May 2. [18] On May 7,Howard was designated for assignment by the Pirates. [19]
