Rhett Lowder

Active

Cincinnati Reds · SP

Age 246' 1" · 200 lbsThrows Right

#454 Preseason

FBaseball Overview

This young right-hander offers intriguing upside as Cincinnati's rotation anchor, though his 2026 campaign shows he's still navigating the adjustment to sustained MLB workload. Lowder's strikeout rate remains solid with 48 whiffs over 58 innings, but his ERA has ballooned to 4.81 and his WHIP climbed to 1.47, suggesting increased difficulty against major-league hitters as he takes on a larger innings load. The stark contrast from his impressive 1.17 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in his 2024 debut indicates he may be overextended or struggling with consistency, making him a risky fantasy starter in 2026 despite the potential for improvement as he gains experience. Target him as a mid-rotation option with the understanding that regression is possible, but monitor his development closely for a potential bounce-back year ahead.

News Updates

Lowder struggles in loss, allowing seven runs in 3.1 innings
Cincinnati pitcher Rhett Lowder (6-10) was roughed up early against Los Angeles, surrendering seven runs on seven hits in a short outing that resulted in the loss. The young pitcher's struggles continue to damage his fantasy value as the Reds fall further behind in the standings. Lowder may see decreased usage going forward.
Sep 10, 2026
Rhett Lowder struggles in loss to Brewers
Cincinnati pitcher Rhett Lowder (3-6) took the loss Tuesday against Milwaukee, allowing six runs on 11 hits over 4.2 innings while striking out eight. The Reds' inability to support their starter contributed to the 7-2 defeat.
Jul 1, 2026

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2024	Cincinnati Reds	6	6	2	2	1.17	1.27	22	30.2	14
2026	Cincinnati Reds	29	26	7	12	5.74	1.52	103	133.1	56
Career	Totals	35	32	9	14	4.88	1.48	125	164	70

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2024	3 teams▼	22	22	6	4	3.64	1.15	113	108.2	24
2025	3 teams▼	5	5	0	3	10.61	1.93	13	9.1	3
2026	Louisville Bats	1	1	0	0	5.40	1.20	8	5.0	0
Career	Totals	28	28	6	7	4.24	1.21	134	122.3	27

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Last Week / Last Month

Current season · MLB only

7 games

G	GS	IP	W-L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
7	7	32.1	3-4	0	7.52	1.64	21	14

30 games

G	GS	IP	W-L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
29	26	133.1	7-12	0	5.74	1.52	103	56

Game Log2026 MLB

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Advanced Stats2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo93.4 mph

Avg Spin2364 rpm

Whiff %18.6%

K %17.1%

BB %9.3%

Hard Hit %38.9%

Barrel %9.8%

xERA5.44

xBA Against0.274

xSLG Against0.463

BA Against0.274

SLG Against0.447

GB%41.5%

FB%27.1%

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

Loading player data...

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2024

Cincinnati Reds

1.17

1.27

30.2

2026

Cincinnati Reds

5.74

1.52

103

133.1

Career

Totals

4.88

1.48

125

164

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2024

3 teams▼

3.64

1.15

113

108.2

2025

3 teams▼

10.61

1.93

9.1

2026

Louisville Bats

5.40

1.20

5.0

Career

Totals

4.24

1.21

134

122.3

W-L

ERA

WHIP

32.1

3-4

7.52

1.64

W-L

ERA

WHIP

133.1

7-12

5.74

1.52

103