These pitchers have a shot at 5th spot in Reds' 2026 rotation

CINCINNATI -- Less than a month before the opening of Spring Training, the Reds are set to have one particular camp competition that can't be overstated or over-discussed.

The battle for the final spot in Cincinnati's five-man rotation should be as compelling as they come.

Assuming there are no injuries or setbacks before Opening Day, the Reds' first four starters are set and it's a good group. It features 2025 All-Star Andrew Abbott, 2024 All-Star Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Brady Singer.

After that, candidates for the fifth spot include Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar with Chase Petty also hoping to be in the mix.

Here's a closer look at each pitcher:

RHP Chase Burns

In his first professional season, Burns had an electric debut on June 24 while facing the Yankees. He became the first big league starter in the Expansion Era (since 1961) to strike out the first five batters he faced – which included Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt.

Frequently able to top 100 mph, the right-handed Burns also joined Fernando Valenzuela (1981) and Bob Feller (1936) as the only Major League pitchers since 1893 to strike out 10 or more batters in four of their first eight starts.

Overall, Burns is still seeking his first victory in the Majors. He went 0-3 with a 4.57 ERA in 13 games, including eight starts. After a one-month stint on the injured list with a right flexor strain, he finished the season in the bullpen.

And Burns, who was drafted second overall in 2024, is still only 22.

RHP Rhett Lowder

Before Burns reached the Majors in his first pro season, Lowder did likewise in 2024. Like Burns, he is also a product of Wake Forest -- however, Lowder will be trying to return from a 2025 season lost to injuries.

First, Lowder opened camp on the IL with a right forearm strain. He was on the cusp of returning in late May when he severely strained his left oblique during a rehab assignment. Thankfully, a stint in the Arizona Fall League went well, giving the Reds confidence he could have a normal offseason and be ready to compete in camp.

Lowder, who turns 24 in March and is ranked the Reds' No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, also had an express route to the Majors and had a stellar 1.17 ERA over his six big league starts in '24.

LHP Brandon Williamson

Set to turn 28 in March, Williamson is working back after he missed all of 2025 recovering from Tommy John surgery on his left elbow. The southpaw, who was acquired from the Mariners as part of a March 2022 trade for Eugenio Suárez and Jesse Winker, overcame shoulder issues in the Minors and debuted for Cincinnati in '23.

Williamson went 5-5 with a 4.46 ERA in 23 big league starts as a rookie. But a return of shoulder issues in camp during 2024 had him miss much of the season. Only four games into his return, on Sept. 17, 2024, the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow tore. Like Lowder, this will be an important camp for Williamson to show he's all the way back.

With the Reds short on lefty relievers on their 40-man roster, Williamson could potentially be a bullpen option as well if he can't crack the rotation.

RHP Julian Aguiar

Ranked as Cincinnati's No. 16 prospect, Aguiar debuted in 2024 and had some rocky results at times while posting a 6.25 ERA in seven starts. Exactly a month after his promotion to the big leagues, he injured his elbow and needed ulnar collateral ligament surgery, just like Williamson.

Still only 24, Aguiar will also try to show he has fully recovered and can be back to the performances that made him a Top 30 prospect for the organization.

RHP Chase Petty

Ranked as the No. 7 prospect in the organization by MLB Pipeline, Petty had a rough first couple of big league stints for the Reds while posting a 19.50 ERA in three games, including two starts.

Petty, who turns 23 in April, had good numbers during his time in the Minors until 2025: He went 6-13 with a 6.39 ERA in 26 starts for Triple-A Louisville last season.

In 2025, Reds starters were seventh in the Majors with a 3.85 ERA, and it's a group that should be deep enough to make the club contenders to return to the postseason.

Although the Reds still need to acquire a bat for more offense in 2026, they have been unwilling to trade from its strong rotation depth because they are concerned about attrition. Only Singer made every start last season without a trip to the IL while 12 different starters were used, including openers.

That means it's a good bet that all of these rotation candidates could loom important at some point during the '26 season.