Clamor over Lowder’s ladder getting louder

May 5th, 2024

This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon’s Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CINCINNATI -- likely won't be at High-A Dayton for much longer.

The right-handed pitcher, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Reds' No. 2 prospect and No. 30 overall, is already making things happen on the mound during his first professional season.

Lowder, who was taken seventh overall in the 2023 Draft, is 2-0 with a 2.49 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP in five starts with Dayton. Over his 25 1/3 innings, the 22-year-old out of Wake Forest University has six walks compared to 29 strikeouts.

"The plan for him is really to just let him go pitch," Reds director of player development Jeremy Farrell said. "He has a month of professional baseball competition under his belt."

On Tuesday, Lowder was named the Midwest League's Pitcher of the Week for April 22-28. In his start that week against Lansing, he allowed one unearned run and three hits over six innings with one walk and nine strikeouts.

Ahead of the Draft he was viewed as having the best changeup in the college game and excellent control. He also can power up with a fastball in the mid-to-upper 90s.

"There may be other things that come up as he progresses but for now, the only thing that has been discussed with him is using his changeup a little more as it is an above-average pitch," Farrell said.

It's been speculated that Lowder could be on the fast track to the big leagues, as soon as later this season. Whether or not that is possible, manager David Bell declined to weigh in on a player development decision. But Bell did get to see Lowder pitch at Spring Training in big league camp.

“I was just impressed with everything about Rhett," Bell said. "I think he started where he started for a reason. There are things to learn and development to be had. As far as how quick that could go, I never put limits on anyone."

Here's a look at what's happening in the rest of the Reds' farm system.

Triple-A Louisville

After a slow start, outfielder came on strong from late April into May. Hinds entered Sunday with a 10-game hitting streak and 16 RBIs in that span. The 23-year-old has the longest active hit streak in the International League. During Louisville's 8-4 victory on Thursday, Hinds notched two hits -- including a home run -- with four RBIs.

Hinds, who ranked No. 16 in the organization, entered Sunday batting .214 with a .666 OPS, four homers and 23 RBIs this season.

Double-A Chattanooga

Reliever has remained sensationally stingy for the Lookouts. Over Maxwell's first eight appearances, the big right-hander -- who is ranked No. 27 in the organization -- has allowed two hits and four walks over 9 1/3 scoreless innings with 19 strikeouts.

Maxwell, 23, was a sixth-round pick in the 2022 Draft out of Georgia Tech.

Single-A Daytona

During the Tortugas' 4-2 victory over Palm Beach on Thursday, left-handed pitcher picked up his first professional win. Serwinowski (No. 30) pitched a season-high five innings and gave up two earned runs on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts.

Through five starts, Serwinowski is 1-0 with a 0.86 ERA. He was a 15th-round selection in the 2022 Draft.