Things don't appear to be improving for the Phillies' slugger. We noted in last week's report that his AVG/OBP/SLG line was a paltry .167/.294/.351, but it is now .171/.280/.357. His strikeout rate has improved by a sliver. Last week, he was on pace for 182, 199, 215, and 232 K in 550, 660, 650, and 700 PA, respectively. As we can see in the chart below, his K's are very slightly down, and his walk rate has decreased as well. He was on pace for nearly 110 in 550 PA last week, but one walk in 28 PA will do that to you.



A look at Josh Kalk's player card for Ryan Howard will show us that he has finally logged an extra-base hit on a pitch other than a straight fastball -- he's now tagged a cut fastball for extra bases. He's yet to get a hit on a sinker or slider, and has only logged singles on curveballs and change-ups.

Finally, my favorite part of these reports, the comparison between his strikeout totals and those of baseball's premier starting pitchers.

Major League Baseball Strikeout Leaders

Ryan Howard, PHI: 140 AB, 54 K

Tim Lincecum, SFG: 50.1 IP, 53 K

Javier Vazquez, CHW: 52.0 IP, 52 K

Johan Santana, NYM: 52.1 IP, 52 K

Jake Peavy, SDP: 54.2 IP, 52 K

Edinson Volquez, CIN: 42.1 IP, 52 K

That's right, folks! Our very own Ryan Howard is in the lead! Let's see if he can keep it up over an entire season and shatter his own strikeout record!

As for home runs, twelve starting pitchers have allowed more and 14 more are tied with Howard -- winner of the 2006 Home Run Derby and 2006 MLB leader in home runs -- with seven. Howard's teammate Brett Myers still leads the pack having allowed 12 HR this season.