Bleacher Report's vision of Reds' 2026 rotation hints at looming roster battle

The Cincinnati Reds possess enviable starting rotation depth, even as they prepare for the losses of Zack Littell and Nick Martinez in free agency. It's worth noting that their "depth" isn't exactly made up of a motley crew of innings-eaters; the Reds employ a barrage of high-upside arms capable of shutting down opposing offenses every time they take the mound.

Hunter Greene is the obvious ace among the staff, and he's followed by breakout star Andrew Abbott and southpaw Nick Lodolo. Each of those pitchers is 27 or younger, team-controlled through at least 2027, and posted an ERA below 3.40 in 2025.

Behind that electrifying triumvirate is Brady Singer, the reliable No. 4 option the Reds stole from the Kansas City Royals last winter. He compiled a 4.03 ERA and 3.98 FIP in 169⅔ innings in 2025, clearing emerging as yet another stalwart among the starting pitching corps.

However, with just one year left on his contract, it's possible the Reds could look to move on from Singer and fill out the back of their rotation with other in-house options. Such a trade isn't at the forefront of the Reds' offseason plans, but it would subtract about $12 million from a razor-thin budget.

If Singer remains — as Bleacher Report's 2026 rotation predictions indicate — the Reds may have to decide between Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder as the team's No. 5 starter next season.

Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder are early favorites for Reds' final rotation spot in 2026

Burns is Bleacher Report's early pick to hold down the back of the Reds rotation, which makes sense after his wildly impressive rookie season. Burns rode a triple-digit fastball to a 4.57 ERA and 2.65 FIP in 43⅓ innings with the Reds, and even that undersells his dominant campaign in the minor leagues.

Lowder is a great pitcher in his own right. Though he missed the entire 2025 season with oblique and elbow injuries, it was just one year ago that Lowder dazzled in his MLB debut with a 1.17 ERA over 30⅔ innings.

Chase Petty is also an option, though that seems unlikely after his disastrous 2025 campaign. Petty posted a 6.39 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 26 starts at Triple-A Louisville this past season, and that doesn't even include the 13 earned runs he surrendered during his six-inning cup of coffee with the Reds.

This is a good problem to have, and one that will likely be decided in spring training. And if the eventual victor fails to impress in the early-going, the Reds will then a solid backup plan.