Iowa Cubs Release Shortstop Ed Howard After Six Seasons

The Iowa Cubs announced the release of shortstop Ed Howard on Saturday, marking the end of a six-year association with the Chicago organization. Howard, a former first-round draft selection, faced challenges that hindered his career progression.

Selected 16th overall in the 2020 MLB Draft, Howard was picked just ahead of Pete Crow-Armstrong, who has since become a standout player for the Chicago Cubs. Howard's time with the Cubs was marred by injuries, including a hamstring issue in 2021 and a hip injury that cut his 2022 season short after just 23 games.

Over his minor league career, Howard recorded a batting average of .209 with 11 home runs and 95 RBIs across 1,162 at-bats. This season, he played for both Double-A Knoxville and Triple-A Iowa, finishing with a .168 average in 137 at-bats. Following his release, Howard is now a free agent, leaving open the possibility of continuing his pursuit of a major league career.