Ryan Howard...How will he really do? over-hyped?

[grizzly451]

Ok, I'm the first to admit I've been impressed with the power this guy showed last season, and his homers during ST. I started to look deeper at this guy's stats and now I'm wondering why isn't anyone talking about the number of strikeouts he has. He had 21 SOs in only 78abs this spring and if you throw in out over a full season you're practically looking at 175 whiffs for the season. Obivously throw in 40 homers and no one cares, but still a high strikeout rate like that, without a high walkrate (Adam Dunn), has to make some people other then me wonder.

So what I'm wondering is how Howard is going to turn out. Do you Phillies fans think he is going to become Rob Deer? Or like Sammy Sosa was for years? I mean Howard could be on a pace to make a new strikeout record this season if he keeps this up.

The guy has a lot of power for sure, but does he have a hole in his swing?


So at the end of the season is Howard's number of homers going to be more impressive or his numbers of strikeouts?

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Personally, I like the movies he directs.
Just Kidding

As for Ryan, I think he could evolve into a David Ortiz, but he could also turn into a Jose Hernandez. I think he'll hit around 35 homers a year and drive in 110. But I don't think he'll be around .300 . He'll be more 283. 36 114 a year.

[jalbright]

First off, it's Ryan Howard, not Ron. Ron played Opie in the Andy Griffith show and makes some good movies, but I doubt he's much at handling a curve or slider. Second, what's wrong with his walk rate? In the majors so far, he's walked about 1 time per 11 plate appearances. Not super, but hardly Dave Kingman. His career numbers in the majors are .288 average (fine), .354 OBP (not great, but better than average), and .567 slugging (wonderful). If he merely keeps that up, the Phillies should be thrilled, no matter how often he strikes out. He seems to have his head screwed on straight and at least last year in the playoff spot race wasn't a guy who disappeared in tough situations. I'll take my chances.

Jim Albright

[Knick9]

First off, it's Ryan Howard, not Ron. Ron played Opie in the Andy Griffith show and makes some good movies, but I doubt he's much at handling a curve or slider. Second, what's wrong with his walk rate? In the majors so far, he's walked about 1 time per 11 plate appearances. Not super, but hardly Dave Kingman. His career numbers in the majors are .288 average (fine), .354 OBP (not great, but better than average), and .567 slugging (wonderful). If he merely keeps that up, the Phillies should be thrilled, no matter how often he strikes out. He seems to have his head screwed on straight and at least last year in the playoff spot race wasn't a guy who disappeared in tough situations. I'll take my chances.

Jim Albright

I'm sorry, but we're not in Mayberry!

Though I voted for Ryan Howard to be something in between strikeout king and slugger, I would hope that he completely destroys some balls...might light a fire under the Phillies' behinds.

[KingJ]

I see him being like Travis Hafner is now.

[Bob Hannah]

First off, it's Ryan Howard, not Ron. Ron played Opie in the Andy Griffith show and makes some good movies, ...

We must also give credit to Ron as a starter, better known as Richie Cunniningham, in a lineup that included Pottsy Weber, Ralph Malph, and the respected Arthur Fonzerreli.

[hellborn]

I see him being like Travis Hafner is now.

I'm a little leery because of Howard's age...but, Hafner was at a similar age when he started getting ML playing time, so Howard could blossom in a similar way.
Howard is 26 now, not too far from where his peak should be...maybe the Phils have just kept him down too long because of Thome, but the guy should have been working on hitting ML pitching for a few more years already if he is really destined to be a big star.
He's certainly got size going for him...I'm rooting for him. If he really pans out, we'll all have to ask why the Phils got Thome when they had this young stud ready to go at 1/50th the cost.

[Androctus]

I'm a little leery because of Howard's age...but, Hafner was at a similar age when he started getting ML playing time, so Howard could blossom in a similar way.
Howard is 26 now, not too far from where his peak should be...maybe the Phils have just kept him down too long because of Thome, but the guy should have been working on hitting ML pitching for a few more years already if he is really destined to be a big star.
He's certainly got size going for him...I'm rooting for him. If he really pans out, we'll all have to ask why the Phils got Thome when they had this young stud ready to go at 1/50th the cost.

You have to remember Howard didnt start pounding the ball till two years ago after they aquired Thome. He was 24 and not really regarded as a top tier prospect, and even after he broke the AA record at Reading was not regarding as being close to show-ready because he did strike out. Alot. I think he's just one of those late bloomers who one day just woke up and everything clicked into place, and all the sudden hitting just came much easier. you also have to remember that if the Phils didnt have Thome, he would have been up all last season, or if Wade had any balls he would have dealt him for a #1 starter before the 05 season opened, and he would have been starting somewhere else to be sure. Either way the team would have been improved, but were all glad now things worked out the way they did. As for howard, I think he's the real deal and he'll approach 40 homers this year. From what I've seen, he worked on his swing some obviously (his stance is definately more upright than last year) and he'll continue to get better. Could be the Phils have four 100+ rbi sticks in their lineup this year?

[KCGHOST]

I think he will be a feared slugger. Looks like he's on the classic track for that.