Rhett Lowder’s 2024 campaign was nothing short of storybook. Drafted in the first round by the Cincinnati Reds in 2023, the right-hander didn’t pitch again that year, but when he finally debuted, he rocketed through every level of the minor leagues in his first professional season. By September, he had broken into the majors, delivering an impressive six-game stretch (30.2 innings) that immediately put him on the radar as part of the Reds’ future rotation plans.
Heading into 2025, Lowder looked like a strong candidate for an Opening Day spot, particularly with injuries plaguing Andrew Abbott, Brandon Williamson, and others in the starting staff. Unfortunately, his own health struggles derailed those hopes. A forearm issue cropped up early in the year, and just as he was working his way back, an oblique injury essentially closed the door on his season.
In total, Lowder managed only 9.1 innings across three minor-league appearances in 2025. Still, the latest updates suggest he’s no longer rehabbing but rather building up for live action again. His next stop? The Arizona Fall League, where the Reds will send him to get innings under his belt with the Peoria Javelinas. Both the Louisville Bats and the AFL’s official social channels confirmed the move on Friday.
While the AFL serves as a showcase for elite prospects—fellow Reds talents Cam Collier and Alfredo Duno will be there this year—it has also evolved into a recovery ground for young players looking to regain momentum after lost seasons. Recent examples from Cincinnati include Matt McLain, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Edwin Arroyo, each of whom suited up in last year’s league after extended injury absences. Results have varied, but the experience often proves invaluable for getting players ready to roll the following spring.
For Lowder, the hope is simple: log enough innings to arrive at 2026 spring training prepared to compete for a rotation spot. If he does, he’ll rejoin a Reds staff that, on paper, is shaping up to be one of the most exciting young groups in baseball.
