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Phillies' former No. 1 prospect stays in Japan rather than return to MLB
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- Phillies' former No. 1 prospect stays in Japan rather than return to MLB
Phillies' former No. 1 prospect stays in Japan rather than return to MLB originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
It's not that long ago that Spencer Howard was the No. 1 prospect in the Philadelphia Phillies ' system.
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But the right-handed pitcher never really made it work in MLB, and he's sticking in Japan after his first season there.
Howard spent the 2025 season in NPB with the Rakuten Eagles.
He has signed for 2026 with the Yomiuri Giants, according to Yakyu Cosmopolitan .
In 2025 with the Eagles, Howard had a 2.22 ERA in 48.2 innings pitched.
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Howard made his MLB debut in 2020, then was listed as the Phillies' top prospect by MLB Pipeline heading into 2021.
In that ensuing season, Howard had a 5.72 ERA before being traded to the Texas Rangers for Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy .
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From 2021-23 with the Rangers, Howard pitched in 62.2 innings but had just an 8.37 ERA.
Howard was traded to the Yankees in 2023, and he also pitched for the Giants and Guardians before he headed to Japan.
The big righty has thrown 144 MLB innings and has a 7.00 ERA.
Now 29 years old, Howard may have one more path back to MLB in a year or two if he wants it. For now, he's chosen to remain in Japan, just with a new ballclub.
