Rhett Lowder Could Provide A Spark For Reds' Rotation In 2027

The Cincinnati Reds didn't have the season they wanted due to a combination of inconsistent play and contracts that didn't live up to initial expectations. They would finish fifth in the NL Central and 12 games below .500 with a 75-87 overall record while missing out on the MLB playoffs, a regression from last year when they reached the NL Wild Card round.

However, the Reds' rotation could be on the upswing going into next season with a fully rested Nick Lodolo and ace Chase Burns who is poised to continue his early dominance. However, out of all Cincinnati's arms, the one that stands out is right-hander Rhett Lowder.

While Lowder wrapped up the season with a 5.74 ERA and four losses in September, a lot of that can be chalked up to a battle with right shoulder discomfort that kept him sidelined until June. Until this year, he struggled to pitch a full season, making just six starts during his rookie year in 2024 while missing all of 2025 due to elbow and oblique injuries.

When he was healthy, Lowder showed flashes of potential on the mound even though he went 7-12 overall this year. He ended his season on a positive note, striking two batters in six scoreless innings against the Toronto Blue Jays to hand the Reds a 5-1 win.

Lowder also had a resilient outing against the division rival Chicago Cubs on Aug. 28, striking out five batters and earning his sixth win of the year despite allowing six hits and three earned runs.

As a result, it is no surprise as to why the Reds aren't turning their back on Lowder just yet given the quality of his stuff when he remains confident and bounces back after getting into trouble.

With the Reds limiting Burns' innings during the latter half of this year, chances are that manager Terry Francona might utilize a similar approach next season and that's another situation where Lowder may come in.

Furthermore, Lowder has shown that he can eat innings as needed, which should help preserve Cincinnati's bullpen in games that get out of hand like the team's matchup on April 26 versus the Detroit Tigers, which they lost 8-3.

While Lowder works to remain healthy this offseason, president of baseball operations Nick Krall will be tasked with bolstering the Reds' rotation with additional depth whether it is from outside the organization or within the farm system.