Rhett Lowder Fantasy Stats

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder is expected to take on a much bigger role in the team's starting rotation in 2026, and he's lined up to make his first start of the year on Sunday, March 29, against the Boston Red Sox, according to MLB.com's Rich Rovito. The 24-year-old former seventh overall pick in 2023 out of Wake Forest made his big-league debut in 2024 and looked great, posting a 1.17 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 22:14 K:BB in 30 2/3 innings in a small sample size of just six starts. He didn't pitch in the majors at all in 2025 due to injuries. With Nick Lodolo (finger) starting on the injured list, Lowder will be locked into a rotation spot in Cincy, and he could stick there all season long. Lowder might not have the fantasy ceiling of teammate Chase Burns, but his fantasy stock is on the rise, and he's worth stashing as starting rotation depth in deep-mixed leagues. Lowder is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 106 fantasy starting pitcher going into his first full year in the majors.

Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect Rhett Lowder has officially made the Opening Day roster. The young right-hander was on the brink of the roster bubble for most of camp but was able to claim a role on the MLB roster. However, it has yet to be determined if the former seventh overall pick will have a spot in the starting rotation. Alongside Lowder, young pitchers Chase Burns and Brandon Williamson also made the Opening Day roster. However, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer noted that only two of them will occupy a rotation spot while the other serves as a long relief option. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status over the next week. Even though his role is unknown, Lowder has solid sleeper appeal in deeper leagues, given that he has posted an impressive 1.17 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP over his first 30 2/3 innings in the majors.

Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect Rhett Lowder is in the mix for the team's No. 5 starting rotation spot this spring, competing with Chase Burns, Brandon Williamson, and Julian Aguiar, and so far, he has looked good, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Lowder has faced hitters twice in live batting practice sessions and has looked "very polished," according to manager Terry Francona. "He's gross," a Reds hitter said of Lowder. The 23-year-old former seventh overall pick in 2023 out of Wake Forest missed all of last season with forearm and oblique injuries, but he had a normal offseason and looks primed and ready to return to the big leagues as a key part of the back end of Cincy's rotation. Lowder made his major-league debut in 2024 and made six starts, allowing only four earned runs while fanning 22 and walking 14 in 30 2/3 innings. He should already be stashed in dynasty/keeper leagues, and he could quickly emerge as a streamer on the redraft radar if he earns a rotation spot.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that starting pitcher Rhett Lowder "pitches like a vet," according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX19. "It's very obvious," Francona added. "It jumps out. He knows what he's doing." That's high praise for the 23-year-old amid competition for the fifth starter spot in the Reds' rotation. Lowder pitched just 9.1 innings in the minors last season due to a right forearm strain and left oblique strain. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2024, when he tossed 30.2 innings across six starts. During his limited taste of action as a rookie, he posted a 1.17 ERA and 3.10 FIP with 6.46 K/9, 4.11 BB/9, and no home runs. Chase Burns is the early favorite to make Cincinnati's rotation, but Lowder, Chase Petty, and Brandon Williamson (elbow) are also heavily in the mix as spring camp gets underway.

If healthy, The Athletic's Keith Law thinks that Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect Rhett Lowder (forearm, oblique) could be a mid-rotation starter in 2026. The 23-year-old former seventh overall pick in 2023 out of Wake Forest began the 2025 season on the injured list with a forearm injury and then strained an oblique muscle during his rehab, which kept him out all year. However, during a stint in the Arizona Fall League, Lowder was back in the 93-95 mph range on his sinker and four-seam fastball while also displaying a plus changeup and a sharper slider that missed plenty of bats. He threw his slider more than any other pitch. Lowder will have to compete for a rotation spot this spring, but even if he doesn't win one out of camp, he'll be a name to watch given his pedigree. With four plus offerings, Lowder can keep hitters off balance.

Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect Rhett Lowder (forearm, oblique) missed the entire 2025 big-league season due to a right-forearm strain and a left-oblique strain, but he has been pitching for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League and has a 3.00 ERA with no walks and six strikeouts through six innings, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. The former first-round pick in 2023 gave up an earned run on two hits over two innings in his outing last Saturday. Lowder made his major-league debut at the end of the 2024 season and looked great, posting a tidy 1.17 ERA over his first six MLB starts. If he is fully healthy for spring training in 2026, the Reds will be hoping to put him in their Opening Day starting rotation. Lowder has four adequate pitches in his arsenal, but it wouldn't be a surprise if they take their time with him and start him in the minors to begin 2026, either.

Cincinnati Reds pitching prospect Rhett Lowder (oblique) was scratched from his second scheduled rehab start on Friday after the hurler's shoulder recovery from his first rehab start hadn't progressed to the point where he felt comfortable going back out there. The Reds' second-ranked prospect underwent an MRI, which showed no structural damage to the shoulder, so the team is just going to take it slow. With the Triple-A regular season ending on Sunday, it's not clear what the plan is from here, but as of now, the 23-year-old is not expected to pitch in the Arizona Fall League. With an offseason to recover and prepare, look for the right-hander to be back in the big leagues next year. He posted a 1.17 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a 6.3 percent K-BB% in six starts for the Reds in 2024.

Cincinnati Reds pitching prospect Rhett Lowder (oblique) began a rehab assignment on Saturday at Triple-A Louisville. The Reds' second-ranked prospect has dealt with both a forearm and an oblique injury this season, which has limited him to just three appearances at Triple-A this year, including Saturday's start. The right-hander allowed one earned run on two hits and no walks while striking out two over two innings of work in the rehab outing. The 23-year-old now has his sights on getting healthy and prepared for 2026, which should see him back in the majors at some point. The former seventh overall draft pick made six starts for the Reds in 2024, posting a 1.17 ERA (3.10 FIP), 1.27 WHIP, and just a 6.3 percent K-BB% in 30 2/3 innings. While the ERA was stellar, his FIP suggests the results may look better than they should have been, and his low strikeout rate is going to limit his fantasy value unless that rate goes up next time around.

Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect Rhett Lowder (oblique) is set to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday and Friday. Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19 noted that Lowder has not been ruled out for the remainder of the season. The former seventh overall pick from the 2023 MLB Draft has only made four appearances in the minor league this season. He was initially working his way back from a forearm injury during the opening months of the season, but then suffered an oblique strain which has kept him sidelined since. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress as he could be in the mix to join the Reds for the stretch run. Last summer, Lowder made his MLB debut and looked quite impressive, posting a 1.17 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP across 30 2/3 innings.

Cincinnati Reds pitching prospect Rhett Lowder (forearm, oblique) recently underwent an MRI on his left oblique, and it came back clean. This means he will be able to begin throwing from a mound and is already scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Sunday. The Reds' second-ranked prospect missed the first couple of months of the season, only to return for four games before hitting the injured list again. It's a lost season for the right-hander who was able to catapult himself all the way to the majors last year after he began the year at High-A, pitching to a 1.17 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in six starts for the Reds. However, a 6.3 percent K-BB% and 4.73 xFIP left a lot to be desired and suggested the results were better than expected. Still, at just 23 years old, the seventh overall draft pick from the 2024 Draft should have a shot at the big league rotation in 2026, and if he can replicate some of the success he had in 2024, the righty should have some fantasy value next year.