Ryan Howard   |   Major Leaguer   2004-2007

[1999] - Freshman 1st team All-America 1B, Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year  [2003] - Florida State League All-Star 1B, Baseball America 2nd team Minor League All-Star 1B, High A All-Star 1B, Florida State League Most Valuable Player  [2004] - Eastern League All-Star 1B, Philadelphia Phillies Minor League Player of the Year, Eastern League MVP, Baseball America 1st team Minor League All-Star 1B, Double-A All-Star 1B, Eastern League Rookie of the Year  [2005] - MLB All-Rookie All-Star 1B, National League Rookie of the Year  [2006] - Played in MLB All-Star Game, National League Most Valuable Player, NL Silver Slugger Award (1B), Philadelphia Phillies Player of the Year

Howard is an imposing presence at the plate at 260 pounds and he backs it up with a big power stroke. He has put up big power numbers at all levels of the minor leagues since being drafted in 2001 by the Phillies in the fifth round. At 2 different levels in 2004, Ryan hit a total of 48 home runs and 3 separate levels.

In most any other organization, Howard would have been promoted to the major leagues earlier and in 2005, one would have thought that he would be a shoo-in to get the opportunity to make the team out of spring training. But there was one big reason why Howard was not the favorite to play first base out of spring training and that one reason was Jim Thome. Howard played well in spring training, batting over .300 and hitting a few homers but Thome's big contract earned him the automatic nod over Howard and instead of putting him on the bench, the Phillies elected to send him back to AAA Scranton.

It wasn't long until Howard was back in Philly due to Thome's poor start and the fact that he went on the disabled list in early May. During his callup, Howard hit only .214 with 1 home run and there were no thoughts of rookie of the year in any Phillies fan's mind. It was back to Scranton for Ryan.

When Thome went down again in early July, Howard came up and this time he earned his keep. He was the regular first baseman for the final 3 months of the year and helped to propel the Phillies to the wild-card race, providing consist power and a good ability to get on base.

Howard ended the 2005 season with 38 home runs over 2 separate leagues with 22 of them coming for the Phillies in the big show. In only 312 at bats, Howard added 63 runs batted in and it was enough to earn him National League Rookie of the Year honors.

Howard was the winner of the 2006 Home Run Derby at the MLB All-star game. He finished with a total of 23 home runs over 3 rounds. He finished 7th in 2007.

Notes: Participated in the 2003 Futures Game during All-Star Weekend, playing for the United States team....Played in 1 all-star game during his career (2006).

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