CHATHAM, Mass. (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – When Reid Howard asked his former Western Kentucky baseball teammate Lucas Hartman about Hartman’s experience transferring to Virginia for the 2026 season, Hartman’s answer only ramped up Howard’s interest in becoming a Cavalier himself.

“He said it was the best time he’s ever had playing baseball,” Howard told Cville Right Now before a Cape Cod League game last week.

Howard joined the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in late June as a replacement player. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Indiana native – a two-year starter at Western Kentucky – immediately fit in with the Cape League’s first-place team. The rest of the team gravitated toward Howard.

“It’s been that way since he showed up,” Y-D manager Scott Pickler, the Cape’s all-time winningest manager, told Cville Right Now. “He fit right in with this group we already had, which has such great chemistry.”

Howard said joining the Red Sox was an easy adjustment – even though the team had already played about 20 games before he arrived on the Cape. 

“All the guys up here are great. It’s what you expect with a bunch of good baseball players,” Howard said. “They know they’re good and they don’t have to put on a show in front of everybody. They just go about their business and it’s just fun to be around.”

A harder adjustment has been getting used to the big-time pitchers he’s facing in the nation’s top summer baseball circuit. But Howard, a .294 hitter over two seasons with the Hilltoppers, said matching up with some of college baseball’s best hurlers this summer will help prepare him for playing at UVA.

“Just getting used to these power arms that we’re facing, all these dudes are very good pitchers,” Howard said. “I think it’s something I’m ready for but it’s definitely going to be a big step up from conference usa. But I think I’ve shown I can do that and I’m just super excited for this opportunity.”

Howard played high school baseball for his father, Jarred, at Forest Park High School near Ferdinand, Ind. Howard hit 40 home runs over four seasons at Forest Park, where he also played basketball.

Reid Howard hitting in the Cape. – Casey Grimm/Y-D Red Sox

He posted a big rookie season at WKU in 2025, batting .287 with six home runs and 34 RBI, earning a spot on the Conference USA All-Freshman team. 

The next season, he batted .302 and led the team with 18 stolen bases. But his power numbers dropped as he battled hand injuries. He didn’t hit a home run and drove in 17 RBI. 

The most dependable part of Howard’s game has been his stellar defense. In two years as the Hilltoppers starting shortstop, Howard posted a .955 fielding percentage.

In the Cape League, Howard has played shortstop and second base.

“We’ve played him all over the infield,” Pickler said. “He’s done a really good job. Swinging the bat well. I don’t think he has to hit for power. He’s just a good baseball player. Pretty reliable at shortstop, runs the bases well. And he’s a great teammate, fit right in.”

Howard said he plans to drive to Charlottesville to get to UVA shortly after the summer season on the Cape ends next month. 

He’s eager to join his new team.

There is certainly an opportunity for middle infielders at UVA. The Cavaliers starting shortstop, Eric Becker, and second baseman, Joe Tiroly, were both taken in the Major League Baseball Draft last month.

Becker went in the second round to Cincinnati and Tiroly was taken by San Diego in the seventh round. 

Howard, Richmond transfer second baseman/catcher Michael Elko, and rising sophomore RJ Holmes, who filled in for Becker after Becker was injured in the NCAA regionals, figure to compete for the two middle infield jobs. 

Holmes hit .338 over 26 games with two home runs and 13 RBI and went 5 for 5 stealing bases.

Elko batted .340 with seven home runs and 38 RBI this past season while starting every game for the Spiders.

Howard is hoping to win the job at shortstop.

“I don’t think they’d be recruiting me if there wasn’t an opportunity,” Howard said. “I know it’s going to be a battle in practice every day. But I think I’m up for it and ready for the challenge. Shortstop obviously would be my preference. But honestly wherever I fit in the best and wherever I can help the team win is where I’m going to be at.”