ALBEMARLE — Now five appearances into his Major League Baseball career, Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Rhett Lowder has continued to show his organization why he was worthy of the seventh overall selection in the 2023 MLB draft.
The former North Stanly ace has pitched his way into a 1.40 ERA — the fourth-best ERA in Reds history since 1913 through a player’s first five career starts — with a 2-2 record, 21 strikeouts, and only four earned runs allowed through 25.2 innings.
Back on Aug. 29, Lowder was called up to Cincinnati after one start at Triple-A Louisville and 22 Minor League starts in total, attempting to bolster the Reds’ pitching staff after a series of injuries to the team’s rotation.
The former Wake Forest star’s impact on the staff has been substantial; the 22-year-old Albemarle native has now kept opponents off the scoreboard in three of his five career appearances.
In his most recent appearance against Pittsburgh this past Saturday, he threw five shutout innings as the Reds beat the Pirates 7-1.
“I think today was one of the bigger lessons that I’ve had so far, knowing I have that ability to bear down when it gets tough,” Lowder said after his home debut in the Great American Ball Park. “Every inning, I’m learning something new. I’m learning hitters and learning myself, honestly. That’s been this whole year, just getting into pro ball and taking something away from every start.”
With five singles and two walks spread across five frames, he put baserunners on in every inning but he was able to escape and get the outs when he needed to. This escape act showed its magic in an at-bat against Pirate left fielder Connor Joe, where Lowder was able to climb back from a 3-0 count and end it with a strikeout.
“It was huge as the story of today, just being able to bear down and make those pitches in crunch time,” Lowder said. “I think that at-bat was probably one of the bigger ones of the day. It kind of gave me a little boost going on, not panicking, getting up 3-0. I just have to keep making pitches.”
As the MLB’s No. 32 overall prospect, he has impressed scouts with his command and pitch variety, utilizing four-seam fastballs, sinkers, sliders, and changeups.
On Sunday, Cincinnati announced that manager David Bell had officially been fired, capping off a season where the Reds (76-81) began as potential playoff contenders but ended with them missing the postseason for the 10th consecutive year.
Just one day before his firing, Bell provided his input on what he has seen from Lowder so far: “He throws strikes and makes pitches when he needs to, which shows maturity and that he’s prepared and knows what he’s doing. There will be days when he may not have his best stuff, but this always gives him a chance. He knows how to pitch — especially for a young pitcher — and you know that when he needs to make a pitch, he knows how to get it done.”
Looking ahead to his sixth pro start and last start of 2024, Lowder is currently in line to pitch for the Reds in a Saturday afternoon (Sept. 28) road matchup against the Chicago Cubs.