Reds Prospect Lowder to Make MLB Debut

Rhett Lowder, who is the Reds’ number two prospect and the 2023 seventh overall draft pick, is to be called up and make his major league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. In the midst of what is a rather lackluster season for the Reds, they look to salvage at least a few more wins heading down the stretch. While it is nearly impossible to make the playoffs being 10 games back of the last wild card spot with under 30 games remaining, they have not entirely given up on the season and this move shows that. Especially with the newly introduced MLB draft lottery, there is no initiative to really tank. 

Rhett Lowder was drafted by the Reds with their first-round pick after putting up an outstanding season at Wake Forest. As a junior, he led his team to the College World Series, posting multiple single-season Wake Forest records while doing so. Lowder had a very impressive 1.87 ERA and also had a flawless 15-0 record. He was arguably the second-best pitcher in the draft behind just Paul Skenes, who is currently favored to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award. 

In 22 games this season, Lowder has a 6-4 record with a 3.64 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. He spent a little bit of time in A+ ball and then moved to where he would spend most of his time in AA. He made one start for the AAA affiliate of the Reds before getting the call-up to the bigs. While the Reds are not expecting Lowder to immediately come out and blow the doors off, they hope to at least get him that Major League experience so he can be a key piece of their rotation for the coming years. They have a solid young core with guys like Elly De La Cruz and Jonathan India and look to be a strong contender in a rather weak NL Central division. Lowder will make his debut Friday, August, 30th in a doubleheader against the NL Central-leading Brewers.