How high-performance rookie Rhett Lowder might impact Cincinnati Reds spending this winter

MINNEAPOLIS – What if the Cincinnati Reds don’t bother to pursue any starting pitching additions over the winter for the first time in recent memory?

Can they make the case they already have enough to win in October next year, barring significant injuries? Can they find enough depth beyond five, six or even nine starting candidates?

And if they took that pursuit out the equation, what could that do for an offseason that might be impacted by revenue uncertainties related to the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings of Bally’s parent company?

For now, every time Brandon Williamson shows off his newfound health down the stretch, and every time rookies Julian Aguiar and especially Rhett Lowder show they belong in a big-league rotation, those pitchers seem to be providing answers to those questions.

“I think we need to evaluate that when we get to the end of the season,” team president Nick Krall said. “There’s obviously guys coming back from injuries. Where are they? How does the rehab go?”

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So could they approach the offseason as though they already have enough starting pitching?

“I don’t want to say yes or no because I don’t have an answer for you,” Krall said.

Lowder, last year’s seventh overall draft pick, provided another 5 1/3 innings of evidence that he belongs in next year’s opening rotation on Sunday.

He took a 2-1 lead to the sixth before a one-out double followed by a walk ended his start against the Minnesota Twins — the bullpen subsequently getting clobbered in a 9-2 loss.

But even after he got charged with the two inherited runners that eventually scored, Lowder has a sparkling 1.74 ERA in four big-league starts.

And not exactly starts against chumps like the White Sox. All four have been against teams with winning records, including three in playoff position: the Brewers, Astros and Twins.

“To be able to step in, in his first time at the major league level and not only compete but really give your team a chance to win every time – against good teams, really good lineups,” manager David Bell said. “There’s a lot to like for sure.”

Especially considering Lowder threw so many innings in college last year that the Reds didn't have him pitch in a professional game until this spring.

Lowder, who started the season at Class A Dayton, figures to get two more starts, likely against the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs, who might be fighting for their playoff life the final weekend of the season.

“It’s a good start to my career and just being thrown into the fire with some really good teams, I’m happy with it,” Lowder said. “Just in general getting this experience is huge. It’s going to help me a lot, just learning every inning. I’m grateful for getting this experience and getting some innings under my belt this year.”

If Lowder is what he seems, and Williamson – last year’s impressive rookie – is ready to step back in full time to start next season, consider this possible opening top five:

• RH Hunter Greene (9-4, 2.83, 24 GS, All-Star appearance)
• LH Nick Lodolo (9-6, 4.76, 21 GS)
• LH Andrew Abbott (10-10, 3.72, 25 GS)
• LH Brandon Williamson (0-0, 2.08, 2 GS, 3 total G)
• RH Rhett Lowder (1-2, 1.74, 4 GS)

Aguiar (2-0, 4.88 in six starts) should get a chance to compete for a spot next spring, based on what has been an extended look down the stretch created by injuries.

And touted prospect Chase Petty is on deck for a debut after getting to Triple-A Louisville this month.

And what about Graham Ashcraft? One of the Big Three (with Greene and Lodolo) to break into the majors in 2022, Ashcraft has spent most of this season on the injured list with an elbow injury.

He could come back and rejoin the starting mix next year.

Or could the Reds bring him back eventually as a high-leverage closer. He has the pitch mix to potentially be a high-impact force in that role, and it’s been discussed internally.

Regardless, the Reds might have the arms to convince themselves they don’t need to spend on starting pitching over the winter – which could free up what resources they have to address some of the other areas that need shoring up.

“I think that’s something that we’re going to be looking at this as we get to the end of the season,” Krall said, “and see where we are and make the best guess possible.”

Notes

Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, whose first career grand slam Friday was his 100th career extra-base hit, appeared to add his 100th career stolen base to his big-league resumé Sunday until a safe call was overturned on a manager's challenge in the fifth inning.

... The Reds finished the 10-day, four-city road trip 5-5 with Sunday's loss. They're 9-5 in September with 11 games left.

... TJ Friedl delivered a bunt single in the Reds' two-run fourth inning Sunday, his fourth of the season and second of the weekend series. Friedl, who missed more than 100 games with three injuries this year, led the majors with 17 bunt hits last year.

... Spencer Steer, the Twins' third-round draft pick in 2019, tripled twice and doubled twice against his former organization during the series. In six career games against the Twins since they traded him to the Reds at the 2022 trade deadline, Steer is 9-for-22 (.409) with four doubles and two triples.

... The Reds were 9 1/2 games behind the Atlanta Braves (pending Atlanta's late Sunday game) for the final NL playoff spot with 11 to play as they headed to Monday's off day. They face the Braves the next three games.

... The Reds' rotation for the Braves series: Brandon Williamson on Tuesday, Jakob Junis on Wednesday and Aguiar on Thursday.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How high-performance rookie Rhett Lowder might impact Cincinnati Reds spending this winter