By John Nolan
PBR Virginia/DC

Patriot High School RHP and 2014 Top Prospect Games participant Jack Howell has committed to attend Norfolk State University in the fall of 2016. Howell is the fifth member of the Pioneers’ senior class to commit a school, joining Austin Gerber (RHP, Radford), Tanner Heltibridle (CIF, College of Charleston), Brett Lysohir (OF, University of Charleston), and Sam Feliciano (IF, Hampden Sydney). Patriot finished the 2015 season as the Cedar Run Conference champions and have a deep senior class coming back in 2016 as the Pioneers look to repeat their championship and make a deep run in the 6A North Region tournament.

Howell stands 6-foot-4 and has a lanky frame. He has a smooth drop and drive delivery and throws from a three-quarters arm slot. He has a long arm action with a bit of a wrap and has a quick armstroke that generates easy velocity. His shoulders are uphill as he strides out on line to a square landing before recoiling after he finishes. At the Pre-Season All-State Showcase in February, Howell’s fastball sat 81-83 with hard run to it and was commanded well. His slider had sharp, hard 10/4 break to it and was thrown with full armspeed, running 70-75. He commanded his changeup well and threw it with full armspeed and sinking action while it ran 74-78.

When he arrives at Norfolk State, Howell will have a chance to contribute immediately, either out of the pen or as a weekday starter. His stuff generates ground balls and swing and misses and his changeup allows him to be effective against lefties. As his career progresses and Howell fills out while on a college strength program, he has the chance to add velocity and develop into a weekend starter for the Spartans.