Pirates' costly gaffe further proof Rhett Lowder must make Reds' Opening Day roster

Many Cincinnati Reds fans assume that Rhett Lowder's late-season showing in 2024 will be enough to garner the former first-rounder a spot in the starting rotation on Opening Day. While that may be true, the Pittsburgh Pirates' costly mistake gave the Reds even more reason to put Lowder on a plane from Goodyear to Cincinnati next spring.

Paul Skenes won the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year Award. The Pirates' starter put up record-breaking numbers last season, and while San Diego Padres' outfielder Jackson Merrill may have been more deserving, the BBWAA decided that Skenes was the best rookie from the 2024 class.

Pirates' costly gaffe further proof Rhett Lowder must make Reds' Opening Day roster

But the Pirates will not be credited with an extra draft pick. Why? Because Skenes didn't make his major league debut until May 11th, and thus did not meet the minimum 172 days of service time required to qualify for MLB's Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI).

The PPI was installed prior to the 2022 season and in order to qualify, a player must spend at least 172 days on the active roster. Skenes didn't cross that threshold, and thus Pittsburgh will be without the added pick at the end of Round 1.

With that in mind, the Reds need to do everything in their power to make sure that Lowder accrues enough service time in 2025 to secure that extra pick if he wins the NL Rookie of the Year Award. Qualifying players can also earn an extra draft pick for their organization if they finish in the top three for the MVP or Cy Young Awards as well.

With Nick Martinez now locked in for the 2025 season, the Reds have four of their five spots spoken for. In addition to Martinez, Andrew Abbott, Hunter Greene, and Nick Lodolo are sure to be part of the Reds Opening Day rotation. At the moment, one could assume that Lowder has the edge over Graham Ashcraft, but the Reds also appear to be searching for a new starter given the latest rumors tying Jonathan India to the Kansas City Royals.

Unless something drastic changes during the offseason, the Reds should pencil Lowder into the 2025 starting rotation. The last thing Cincinnati wants to do is follow Pittsburgh's lead...that usually ends in the NL Central cellar.

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