Nathaniel Lowe starts for Reds vs. Rangers in return to Texas
Nathaniel Lowe posted a 122 OPS+ in practically 2600 PA for the Texas Rangers throughout 4 full seasons after coming over from the Tampa Bay Rays. In that point he was valued at 11.5 bWAR, gained a Gold Glove, a World Series, and a Silver Slugger Award – the latter coming throughout a outstanding 2022 season in which he hit 26 homers and .302/.358/.492 (139 OPS+) in 645 PA.
He’s nonetheless simply 30 years outdated. While his stint with the Washington Nationals to start a 2025 season after being dealt away from the Rangers was not like him (88 OPS+), he rebounded to hit a way more Lowe-esque .280/.370/.420 in 119 PA with the Boston Red Sox to end the yr.
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He’s a reasonably rattling good hitter nonetheless, I imagine. And the Cincinnati Reds acquired him for a tune in free company over the winter, as he landed on a minor league cope with an invitation to spring camp and a assure of simply over $2 million bucks if he made the large league roster – which he did.
He’s going to have a spot on this roster sooner or later that is extra apparent and a greater match than proper now, I can assure it. He’s a confirmed left-handed bat with a protracted, lengthy monitor report of hitting effectively towards RHP, and that is one thing the Reds merely haven’t got on the roster in spades. Elly De La Cruz is, we all know, however past that we’re taking a look at a reasonably clearly post-peak TJ Friedl and…Will Benson?
So whereas he is been principally relegated to bench-bat standing to start 2026 (thanks to Sal Stewart rightfully getting run at 1B and Eugenio Suarez deserving at bats someplace, too), Lowe’s going to match in by some means, a way earlier than this 162-game grind comes to an in depth.
Perhaps that is in a task like the place he’ll begin towards his outdated membership Texas on Saturday at DH. Suarez is displacing Ke’Bryan Hayes at 3B for one other sport, as Hayes nonetheless searches for some semblance of offense. Despite Cincinnati oddly betting large on Hayes’ protection having the ability to make up for the truth that he is been essentially the most punchless bat in baseball for years (and the long-term contract that’s on their books for it), there is a good argument to be made that getting Suarez time at 3B and Lowe in the lineup at DH makes the Reds a greater general staff than Hayes at 3B, Geno at DH, and Lowe sitting on the bench.
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At least, that is what I just about suppose, and we’ll get one other take a look at it towards RHP Kumar Rocker and the Rangers Saturday night.
The Hayes factor is one thing the Reds will clearly proceed to work on seeing as he is underneath contract for years past 2026. For now, although, it is price discovering out if the previous Rangers 1B who fell in their lap for dust low cost could make them considerably higher in the quick time period, and that is what we’ll get a take a look at at present.
Here’s how Cincinnati will line up for Rhett Lowder’s second begin of 2026:
