A pair of top-ten picks fight to anchor the back of the Reds' rotation

The Cincinnati Reds are looking to make the postseason for the second year in a row. Their 2025 postseason experience was cut short when they drew the short end of the stick and were matched up with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the wild-card round. 

Needing some more power in the offense, the club surprised many when they came to terms with Eugenio Suarez on a one-year deal. Playing for the team from 2015 to 2021, he is more than familiar with the organization.

Suarez will take some of the pressure off Elly De La Cruz to perform. And while the Chicago Cubs had a huge offseason, the Reds could be a sneaky team in the NL Central. 

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A pair of top-ten picks fight to anchor the back of the Reds' rotation

Despite adding Suarez, all eyes will not be on him in the spring. Instead, the front office will be paying attention to how Rhett Lowder and Chase Burns perform. 

Lowder was the seventh overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, while Burns was the second overall selection in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Both are fighting for the final spot in Cincinnati's rotation, and Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter believes Lowder will edge out Burns. 

"There might not be a more compelling rotation battle in baseball this spring than Rhett Lowder vs. Chase Burns for the final spot on the Reds starting staff. Both were top-10 picks, both have shown flashes in the majors, and both profile as long-term anchors of the Cincinnati rotation. Burns could be a lethal weapon in a multi-inning role out of the bullpen, while waiting in the wings as the next man up if injury strikes."

Burns could work as a multi-inning guy in the bullpen, which would still give him looks in the big leagues. And while that may not be what he was hoping for, his future will be bright when he gets his shot.

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