Brief Introduction of Ed Howard
Edward Vernell Howard IV is an American professional baseball shortstop currently in the Chicago Cubs organization. A highly-touted prospect from a young age, Howard first gained national recognition as a member of the Jackie Robinson West Little League team that competed in the 2014 Little League World Series championship game. His defensive prowess and potential at the plate made him a first-round selection in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft, taken 16th overall by his hometown team, the Chicago Cubs. Howard’s journey through the minor leagues has been marked by both promising talent and significant setbacks due to injuries, but he remains a noteworthy figure in the Cubs’ farm system. His career is a testament to perseverance and the pursuit of a lifelong dream to play baseball at the highest level.
Ed Howard Overview
| Full Name | Edward Vernell Howard IV |
| Date of Birth | January 28, 2002 |
| Age | Calculated from date of birth |
| Birthplace | Evergreen Park, Illinois, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Professional Baseball Shortstop |
| Famous For | Being a first-round MLB draft pick by the Chicago Cubs and playing in the 2014 Little League World Series. |
| Education | Mount Carmel High School |
| Marital Status | Information not publicly available |
| Spouse / Partner | Information not publicly available |
| Children | Information not publicly available |
| Net Worth | Estimated based on signing bonus |
Early Life and Education of Ed Howard
Ed Howard was born on January 28, 2002, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, and grew up in the Chicago suburb of Lynwood. His parents, Ed Howard III and Calandra Howard, played a significant role in his early exposure to baseball, as his father played in high school and his mother played softball. From the age of five, Howard was involved in the sport that would become his passion. The family, including his two sisters, Chanel and Capri, made sacrifices to support his ambitions, including forgoing family vacations to afford his tuition at Mount Carmel High School.
Howard’s journey in baseball garnered national attention in 2014 when he was a key player for the Jackie Robinson West Little League team. The team captivated the nation by reaching the championship game of the Little League World Series. He attended Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, where he was a standout athlete. While he also played basketball, he eventually decided to focus solely on baseball. His commitment to the sport was evident in his grueling schedule, which often started with 4:30 a.m. wake-up calls for workouts. As a high school sophomore, he committed to play college baseball for the University of Oklahoma.
Ed Howard Career
Early Career
Howard’s amateur career was decorated with numerous accolades. At Mount Carmel High School, he established himself as one of the top high school players in the country. As a junior, he batted .419 with three home runs, 12 doubles, and 29 RBIs, earning first-team All-Chicago Catholic League honors. His performance led to his participation in prestigious events such as the Under Armour All-American Game and the Perfect Game All-America Game. He entered his senior year as a top prospect for the upcoming Major League Baseball draft. Unfortunately, his final high school season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Breakthrough
The major turning point in Ed Howard’s career came during the 2020 Major League Baseball draft. He was selected in the first round with the 16th overall pick by his hometown team, the Chicago Cubs. This was a significant moment, making him the first Illinois high school position player to be drafted in the first round since 1997. Opting to begin his professional career, he signed with the Cubs for a bonus of approximately $3.75 million, forgoing his commitment to the University of Oklahoma. The canceled minor league season in 2020, due to the pandemic, delayed his professional debut.
Major Achievements and Success
Howard made his professional debut in 2021 with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Low-A affiliate of the Cubs. That season, he played in 80 games, gaining valuable experience in a professional setting. In 2022, he was promoted to the High-A South Bend Cubs. Despite the challenges and injuries he has faced early in his professional career, being a first-round draft pick remains a significant achievement that underscores his potential in the eyes of baseball scouts and the Cubs organization.
Recent Work / Current Status
Howard’s professional career has been hampered by injuries. During the 2021 season, he missed over a month with a hamstring injury. A more significant setback occurred in May 2022, when he suffered a season-ending hip injury that required surgery. He returned to the field for the South Bend Cubs in 2023. His journey back to full health and his development in the minor leagues continue to be closely watched by the Chicago Cubs and their fanbase, who are hopeful that the hometown prospect will one day make his major league debut at Wrigley Field.
Ed Howard Awards and Achievements
- 2020 Gatorade Illinois Baseball Player of the Year
- 2020 First-Round MLB Draft Pick (16th overall)
- 2019 Perfect Game All-American Classic Participant
- 2019 Under Armour All-American Game Participant
- 2014 Little League World Series U.S. Champion (with Jackie Robinson West)
Ed Howard Personal Life & Family
Ed Howard comes from a supportive family who have been instrumental in his baseball career. His parents are Ed Howard III and Calandra Howard. He also has two sisters named Chanel and Capri. His father, Ed Sr., has spoken about the importance of life experiences and has encouraged his son to remain motivated and continue pushing himself beyond his early successes. The family resides in the Chicago area, and Howard’s selection by the Cubs was a special moment for the hometown kid. He has expressed his excitement about the opportunity to play for the team he grew up watching.
Ed Howard Relationship Details
Information not publicly available
Ed Howard Net Worth and Income
While a precise and current net worth for Ed Howard is not publicly available, he received a significant signing bonus upon entering professional baseball. After being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2020, he signed a contract that included a bonus of $3,745,500. His income since then has been from his salary playing in the minor leagues. Future earnings will be dependent on his progression through the Cubs’ system and whether he reaches the major leagues.
Ed Howard Physical Appearance
- Height: 6 feet 1 inch
- Weight: 185 lbs
- Eye Color: Information not disclosed
- Hair Color: Information not disclosed
Ed Howard Controversies
No major controversies reported. It is worth noting that the 2014 Jackie Robinson West Little League team, of which Howard was a member, was later stripped of its U.S. title due to residency violations by the team’s adult organizers. Howard himself was not implicated in any wrongdoing.
Ed Howard Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Information not publicly available
- Twitter – @ehowardIV
- YouTube – Not publicly available
Interesting Facts about Ed Howard
- As a child, Ed Howard grew up as a fan of the Chicago White Sox.
- He was a participant in the White Sox’s Amateur City Elite (ACE) program.
- Howard is friends with and looks up to fellow Chicago shortstop and MLB star Tim Anderson.
- During a Zoom call with the Cubs scouting department before the draft, he was casually wearing his baseball glove, a small detail that impressed the team with his passion for the game.
Ed Howard Legacy and Influence
Though his professional career is still in its early stages, Ed Howard’s journey has already made an impact. As a prominent member of the Jackie Robinson West team, he was part of a cultural moment that brought positive attention to youth baseball in the city of Chicago. His selection as a first-round pick out of a Chicago high school serves as an inspiration for aspiring young players in the Midwest, a region sometimes overlooked for baseball talent. The Cubs organization has praised his maturity and high baseball IQ. His work ethic and dedication to overcoming injury setbacks will be a significant part of his developing legacy as he continues to strive toward his goal of playing in Major League Baseball.
Final Words about Ed Howard
Ed Howard’s story is one of hometown dreams and the resilience required to chase them. From the national stage of the Little League World Series to becoming a first-round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs, his path has been filled with high expectations. While injuries have presented significant hurdles, Howard’s commitment to his craft and his deep-seated love for the game of baseball remain evident. His journey through the minor leagues is a crucial chapter in his development, and many in the baseball world, particularly in Chicago, are eagerly anticipating his potential arrival in the major leagues. His story is still being written, but the foundation has been laid for a compelling career rooted in talent, hard work, and the heart of a hometown kid.
