Reid Howard brings contact, speed, and middle-infield value for WKU
In the 2026 season, Reid Howard has been a steady everyday presence for Western Kentucky, appearing in 37 games and starting 36 while hitting .302 with a .419 on-base percentage, 39 hits, 20 runs, 17 RBIs, and a team-high 18 stolen bases. He also earned Brooks Wallace Award semifinalist recognition, a strong sign that his defensive value and shortstop instincts are getting noticed. The quick-twitch profile is the appeal here: he can put the ball in play, pressure defenses on the bases, and handle the middle infield. The one caution flag is power, which dipped in 2026 after a hand-injury-affected stretch.
