Lowder continues to make case for rotation spot with 3 hitless innings

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – During Rhett Lowder's second appearance -- and first start -- of the spring, the Reds' fifth-starter candidate largely breezed through the Angels lineup for three hitless and scoreless innings on Friday.

Lowder demonstrated pitch efficiency that could serve him well in the competition. While allowing one walk and striking out three, he faced 10 batters and threw 30 pitches with 21 strikes. An additional 10 pitches were thrown in the bullpen.

“I had some quicker innings. That was part of the game plan, trying to get the ball on the ground when I could and get out of there quick," said Lowder, who had a seven-pitch first inning and a nine-pitch third.

Reds manager Terry Francona liked Lowder's ability to locate and his pitch variety. The right-hander led with his sinker and slider but also mixed in a changeup and four-seam fastball.

“A really good breaking ball. He knows how to pitch. His future is extremely bright," Francona said after the game, which the Reds lost 4-3. "I know I’ve said it, but he pitches like a veteran. He throws strikes. He changes speeds, follows the glove. Kind of fun to watch.”

Lowder, who turns 24 on March 8, missed all of 2025 with right elbow and left oblique injuries but pitched in the Arizona Fall League. Ranked as the No. 86 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, he pitched two innings on Saturday vs. the Guardians and allowed one run, two hits and a walk with four strikeouts.

“I had a lot of righties in the lineup, so [it was] just pounding the sinker in on them. Kind of opposite of the week prior, the Guardians had a lot of lefties," Lowder said. "So it’s kind of good to get both. Definitely get the ball in on their hands, execute some sliders. We got to work on a lot of pitches that I’m going to need in big spots.”

Lowder, who had a 1.17 ERA in six big league starts after debuting in 2024, still qualifies as a rookie in 2026 based on his service time, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Joining Lowder as contenders for the fifth spot are Chase Burns, Julian Aguiar and lefty Brandon Williamson. Burns pitched 2 1/3 innings with one earned run, two hits, two walks and five strikeouts vs. the Padres on Thursday.

“Each week, I’m just trying to get better. It’s been a while since I’ve had this long a stretch of being in a good routine with the guys," Lowder said. "I’m just trying to get better each week and be the best pitcher I can be no matter really where that’s at or what that looks like. I want to be the best version of myself, no matter what.”

Aguiar, who was ranked as Cincinnati's No. 16 prospect at the end of last season, followed Lowder and did not fare as well. Over two innings, he gave up three earned runs, and four hits with two strikeouts. In the fourth inning, Logan O'Hoppe clobbered a long two-run home run off him to left field.