CINCINNATI – Young starting pitcher Rhett Lowder is ready to do at Spring Training this year what he couldn't do at camp last year: compete for a spot in the Reds' rotation. Not only was Lowder unable to battle in spring, injuries prevented him from pitching in the big leagues at all in 2025.
This spring, Cincinnati's top four rotation spots are set with Andrew Abbott, Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Brady Singer. Lowder is one of several candidates for the fifth spot, joining Chase Burns, Brandon Williamson, Julian Aguiar and Chase Petty.
“Internal competition is good," said Lowder, who turns 24 on March 8. "It’s just going to make us all better, no matter what happens. We’re going to fight every day to try and get that last spot. At the end of the day, whatever the decision is, it’s going to be best for the team. We’re just going to make each other better. I think that’s awesome. We want to be the best we can be and push each other.”
Formerly the Reds' No. 1 prospect, Lowder is currently ranked by MLB Pipeline in the organization at No. 5 and No. 86 overall. The seventh overall selection in the 2023 Draft, he zoomed through the system during his first pro season in 2024. By the final month, he was in the big leagues and had a sterling 1.17 ERA over six starts.
Because Lowder had right elbow soreness before reporting to camp in 2025, the Reds proceeded with maximum caution and kept him off the mound. Officially reported with a right forearm strain, he opened the season on the injured list. He was nearing the end of a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on May 22 when he severely strained his left oblique.
It proved to be a season-ending injury. As the Reds successfully battled for a National League Wild Card, Lowder was rehabbing at the club's player development complex.
“It was definitely a grind," he said. "It was not a small injury. Every day in Arizona, I was working as hard as I could to get back. Ultimately, it just didn’t work out, but I was super happy for those guys and watched them all year. It was awesome.”
Before Lowder went into the offseason, he appeared in four games for nine innings in the Arizona Fall League.
“It was good just to get back in the game and compete," Lowder said. "There’s not many games going on at that point. Getting back and competing was the most important thing. … Just playing was fun.”
That time in the AFL gave Lowder a boost he believes sets him up for the rotation battle.
"It helped a lot playing healthy," he said.
Making the competition extra interesting is that it includes Burns. Like Lowder, he was a first-round selection – second overall in the 2024 Draft – who did not pitch professionally until the following season. Both pitchers played college ball at Wake Forest.
Burns also moved fast through the Minors and debuted in June with electric triple-digit velocity while racking up strikeouts. He went 0-3 with a 4.57 ERA in 13 games, including eight starts.
Lowder mentored Burns during the right-hander's first big league camp last year. Now it will essentially be the sophomore seasons for both pitchers. But if everybody is healthy at the open of the season, only one of them will be in the Reds' rotation.
“It’s not going to hurt our friendship, no matter who it is," Lowder said. "Hopefully we both play for a very long time. No matter who ends up in the rotation or whatever, we’re all on the same team. I’m sure we’re going to be playing with each other. I don’t think it’s a big deal."