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Reds top prospect inches closer to major league debut after latest promotion

He's almost here.

By Drew Koch |
Cincinnati Reds non-roster invitee pitcher Rhett Lowder
Cincinnati Reds non-roster invitee pitcher Rhett Lowder / Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer-USA TODAY Sports

One of the Cincinnati Reds top prospects is now one step closer to making his major league dreams become a reality. It was announced on Tuesday that 2023 first-round draft pick Rhett Lowder will be moving from Double-A Chattanooga to Triple-A Louisville.

Lowder began the 2024 season at High-A Dayton, but it was obvious after a handful of games in the lower-minor leagues that he needed a bigger challenge. Lowder was 2-0 in five starts with the Dayton Dragons and posted a 2.49 ERA and 28.4% strikeout rate while also keeping his walk rate below 6%.

Reds prospect Rhett Lowder joins Louisville Bats at Triple-A

In early-May, Lowder joined the Reds' Double-A affiliate in Chattanooga and endured a number of struggles at the outset. Lowder was 1-4 in his first 10 games with the Lookouts and only struck out 48 batters in 43.1 innings pitched. The right-hander owned a paltry 6.85 ERA and it seemed like fast-tracking the Wake Forest product through the Reds' farm system was off the table.

But Lowder has been one of the best pitchers in the minor leagues over the past month-plus. Since July 9th, Lowder is 3-0 in six starts with a sparkling 1.06 ERA. Lowder struck out 23.6% of the opposition during that span and continues to keep base paths clear of free runners with a 5.7% walk rate.

Lowder will now be at the top of the ladder as far as minor league baseball is concerned. Once the 22-year-old shows that he can handle opposing batters at Triple-A, it's only a matter of time before the Reds' brass gives him the opportunity to showcase his talents in The Show.

It seems unlikely that Cincinnati will rush Lowder to the big leagues this season, especially with the minor league season now extended through the month of September. That said, the Reds have endured a number of injuries to several starters this season, so the Reds fanbase shouldn't be surprised if Lowder somehow makes an appearance in the big leagues before the 2024 season is up.

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