Nathaniel Lowe posted a 122 OPS+ in almost 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, received 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 previous. 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 fairly rattling good hitter nonetheless, I consider. And the Cincinnati Reds received him for a tune in free company over the winter, as he landed on a minor league take care of an invitation to spring camp and a assure of simply over $2 million bucks if he made the massive league roster – which he did.
He’s going to have a spot on this roster in some unspecified time in the future that’s extra apparent and a greater match than proper now, I can assure it. He’s a confirmed left-handed bat with a protracted, lengthy observe document of hitting effectively in opposition to RHP, and that’s one thing the Reds merely wouldn’t have on the roster in spades. Elly De La Cruz is, we all know, however past that we’re taking a look at a fairly clearly post-peak TJ Friedl and…Will Benson?
So whereas he’s been largely 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 someway, a way earlier than this 162-game grind comes to a detailed.
Perhaps that’s in a job like the place he’ll begin in opposition to his previous membership Texas on Saturday at DH. Suarez is displacing Ke’Bryan Hayes at 3B for one other recreation, 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’s been essentially the most punchless bat in baseball for years (and the long-term contract that’s on their books for it), there’s a great argument to be made that getting Suarez time at 3B and Lowe in the lineup at DH makes the Reds a greater general group than Hayes at 3B, Geno at DH, and Lowe sitting on the bench.
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At least, that’s what I just about assume, and we’ll get one other have a look at it in opposition to 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’s underneath contract for years past 2026. For now, although, it’s price discovering out if the previous Rangers 1B who fell in their lap for filth low cost could make them considerably higher in the quick time period, and that’s what we’ll get a have a look at at present.
Here’s how Cincinnati will line up for Rhett Lowder’s second begin of 2026:
