Aug. 29, 2008

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - University of Alabama junior Del Howell has been named the No. 1 overall prospect in the Texas Collegiate League this summer, according to PGcrosschecker.com, in a survey of professional scouts and summer league coaches.

Howell pitched this summer for the McKinney (Texas) Marshals and earned all-star accolades after helping the Marshals win the TCL regular season and post-season championship.

In 14 games, Howell was 2-2 with four saves and a 2.41 ERA. The Tuscaloosa native was third in the league in saves (4), third in the league in strikeouts (47) and fifth in ERA (2.41). He worked 33 2/3 innings and allowed nine earned runs and 23 hits, with 19 walks and 47 strikeouts. He held opponents to a .188 batting average and was named to the TCL All-Star team.

In his first two seasons at UA, Howell has made eight appearances on the mound with three starts. He is 1-1 with an 8.14 ERA. His best outing for the Crimson Tide came in the 2008 SEC Tournament, where he allowed three runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings in his first career post-season start in a win over Kentucky at Regions Park.