Athletes Beyond Bartow: Howard back in majors, Justus stays hot
Sam Howard was promoted back to the MLB Colorado Rockies' roster Saturday and Connor Justus of the L.A. Angels' organization continued his offensive resurgence with the Inland Empire 66ers of the California League.
SAM HOWARD -- Colorado Rockies (5th yr. pro; LHP; Georgia Southern; Cartersville HS)… For the second time this season, Howard was promoted to the major league club from Triple-A Albuquerque. The move took place this past Saturday, but he did not appear in either of the Rockies’ games prior to this week’s All-Star Game break. Howard, age 25, was called up to the parent club for the first time this season on June 9 and made his MLB debut against Arizona on June 10. He allowed one hit in one inning of work in that appearance. In 14 starts this season with Albuquerque, the southpaw is 3-6 with a 5.43 ERA (68 IP, 41 ER). He has 55 strikeouts and 26 walks. Howard’s career Minor League record is 29-35 with a 3.83 ERA (538.2 IP, 229 ER) in 102 starts (104 appearances) since 2014.
CONNOR JUSTUS — Inland Empire 66ers (3rd yr. pro; MIF; Advanced Class A California League; L.A. Angels organization; Georgia Tech; Cartersville HS)… In 22 games since his return to Inland Empire, Justus has a .300 batting average with four home runs, nine extra base hits, 15 RBI, and a pair of walks. He has hit safely in 17 of 22 games, including nine of the last 11. For the season with the 66ers and the Double-A Mobile BayBears, Justus is now hitting .220 with 28 RBI in 79 games. Inland Empire is 13-12 in the California League’s second half standings and trails South Division leader rancho Cucamonga by seven games.
ANTHONY SEIGLER — GCL Yankees West (1st yr. pro; C; Rookie Gulf Coast League; N.Y. Yankees organization; Cartersville HS)… has not appeared in a Yankees West game since July 4 when he had two hits and drew a walk. According to a tweet last week by NDNSPORTS.com, Seigler "has not played in a week because of a 'minor hamstring issue.' " He also threw out a runner attempting to steal third. Drafted 23rd overall this past June, Seigler has slashed .381/.500/.476 through his first seven pro games. The Yankees West (11-10) are in fourth place in the GCL Northwest Division and trail the GCL Tigers West by three games. The GCL Yankees West play their home games at the Yankees spring training complex in Tampa.
