Rhett Lowder
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| Photo: Mark J. Rebilas/ USA Today |
Bio:
Age: 22
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Hometown: Albemarle, North Carolina
Draft Profile: 1st round, 7th pick of the 2023 Draft by Cincinnati
Drafted Out of: Wake Forest University
Career Stat Line: 103.2 IP 6-2 W/L 1.48 ERA 167:25 K:BB .181 AVG. 0.88 WHIP
Our first pitcher in the Minor League Spotlight this year is one we've been following long before he hit the MiLB track, Rhett Lowder. If you caught any of his work in college, you knew he was going to be a talent worth keeping an eye on-- and he hasn't come close to disappointing.
The Reds' second ranked prospect was born in Albemarle, North Carolina to parents Anthony and Annette. Growing up, his father was a key inspiration and mentor in his budding love for the game of baseball (SportsKeeda). It's a bond the two still hold dear.
Unlike many of our Spotlight's, Rhett did not attend any major, national baseball academy for his prep ball, keeping it local at North Stanly High-- a 1A school in New London, NC. After a very brief stint on the Comets' JV team, the freshman was bumped up to varsity, where he'd remain for his tenure.
Lowder announced his arrival as a legitimate high school talent during his sophomore season, earning Co-Pitcher of the Year while posting a 9-2 record with a 1.03 ERA. His eye-popping 96:7 K:BB numbers also helped earn him the honor as the Yadkin Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year (Stanly News and Press).
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| Photo: Dawn Lucas |
It would only get better from there. As a junior, the righty went 9-0 with a 0.61 ERA, 115 strikeouts and, again, 7 pesky walks (MaxPreps). The phenomenal campaign earned him yet another Pitcher of the Year award, but surprisingly did little to put him on any marquee college radars. That was until his travel ball coach, Don Hutchins, ran into Wake Forest associate head coach Bill Cliento and suggested he give Lowder a look.
“[He] said, ‘I promise you this, if you take this kid at Wake Forest, he’s going to be a first-team All-ACC pitcher.’” Cilento later recounted to Mitch Light of the Athletic (MLB.com). Little did he know, he'd do it twice.
After 27 strikeouts in 13.2 shutout innings, COVID shut down Lowder's senior season at North Stanly, robbing us all of what looked to be one for the record books. He unsurprisingly didn't get selected in the shortened 2020 MLB draft, which took his journey an hour and change up the road to Wake Forest University.
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| Photo: Dawn Lucas |
It wasn't all sunshine and roses for the new Demon Deacon, as he experienced some growing pains during his freshman campaign. In his 12 starts, the 18-year old went 4-2 with a 3.55 K:BB ratio and a 6.12 ERA (GoDeacs). Great strikeout numbers, the third most for a freshman in program history, but far too many runs coming across home plate. He'd be the first person to tell you that though.
The next year, after an offseason of work at the esteemed Wake pitching labs, as well as with the Strasburg Express, Lowder exploded onto the scene. The sophomore went 11-3 with a 3.08 earned run average and 9.5 K/9 (USABaseball). In his 16 starts, he only allowed more than 3 earned runs one time. His performances earned him ACC Pitcher of the Year-- the first in school history-- as well as a Unanimous All-American honors.
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| Photo: Wake Baseball |
Team USA caught notice, bringing Rhett aboard their 2022 Collegiate National Team. The Deac took advantage of the opportunity, showcasing his talents on an international scale by allowing just one earned run in two starts at Honkbalweek Haarlem while striking out five (USABaseball). It was only a preface for the dominance to come.
Junior-year Rhett Lowder was just a different breed. 15-0 record in 19 starts, helping contribute to six shutouts. 25 earned runs across 120.1 innings-- good for a 1.87 average. He walked just 24 batters, while striking out 10.7 per nine innings (Baseball Reference). Pick your stat, pick your metric-- this kid excelled in it. On top of the numbers, his battle with Paul Skenes in game one of the CWS Semifinals provided arguably the greatest pitcher's duel in NCAA Baseball history. #4 allowed just 5 baserunners over 7 shutout innings against an LSU lineup stacked with future major league talent. Watch the link, if you're unaware.
Unfortunately, Lowder and the Deacons came up short in that game and series, turning his focus toward the upcoming MLB draft. The now two-time ACC Pitcher of the Year and All-American was projected somewhere in the top 10 of a loaded class, rocking a fastball that sat in the mid-90's, a devastating changeup and an effective slider in the mid-80's (Royals Review). At 6'2" and 185 pounds, he had room to fill out. July 9th was simply a matter of finding out how high he'd end up getting chosen.
Sitting at #7 overall, Cincinnati decided they'd make the call, selecting the right hander out of Wake Forest with their top pick. The team inked him to a $5.7 million dollar signing bonus (with which he promptly bought some new fitted golf clubs, we approve) and sent him down to Arizona to get in a little work.
He wasn't in the desert for long, getting the move up to High-A Dayton toward the end of August (Dayton Daily). With only two weeks left in the season at that point, the club decided to not have their top prospect make any official appearances, as he was coming off a busy college campaign. Instead, he got to hang out in the dugout, get some lifting in and assimilate to professional life.
Things have looked good on that front so far in 2024. Baseball's 31st ranked prospect has racked up 9 innings across two starts this season, giving up just 1 earned run on 6 hits with a 5:1 K:BB rate (MiLB.com). He's completely overmatched many opposing Class A+ hitters, which is exactly what the Reds were hoping he'd be doing.
Lowder gets the rock tonight for his third minor league start against the Fort Wayne Tin Caps. If you're in the Dayton area, make sure to go see the kid in action while you can! At this rate, it won't be long until AA's calling.
How long 'til we see him at the Great American Ball Park? Make sure to stay tuned.
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| Photo: WDTN |
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@Choppinglines
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