The Cincinnati Reds are adding a familiar veteran bat to their spring training mix, signing first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to a minor league deal with an invitation to Major League camp. The 30-year-old brings a championship pedigree and a track record of both power and polish at the plate - and now he’ll get a shot to prove he still has something to offer at the big-league level.
Lowe, a seven-year MLB veteran, debuted with the Tampa Bay Rays back in 2019 but made his biggest mark with the Texas Rangers, where he earned a Silver Slugger in 2022 and followed that up with a Gold Glove in 2023 - the same year he helped Texas capture a World Series title. That kind of hardware doesn’t just happen by accident. Lowe’s blend of offensive upside and defensive reliability made him a key piece during his time in Arlington.
Last season, though, was more of a grind. Splitting time between the Nationals and the Red Sox, Lowe posted a combined .228/.307/.381 slash line with 18 homers and a .689 OPS over 153 games.
That stat line doesn’t jump off the page, but it’s worth digging a little deeper. His stint in Boston, though brief, showed signs of life - he posted a .790 OPS in 119 plate appearances with the Red Sox, a noticeable jump from his .665 mark during his time in Washington.
It’s a smaller sample size, sure, but it suggests there’s still some thump left in the bat if he’s in the right environment.
And that’s where Great American Ballpark comes into play. Cincinnati’s home stadium has long been a haven for hitters, particularly left-handed ones like Lowe. If he can crack the Opening Day roster - or even hang around long enough to get a midseason call-up - the park’s friendly dimensions could help him tap into his power again.
That said, the path to playing time won’t be wide open. The Reds have a crowded corner infield situation, with Spencer Steer and Sal Stewart both expected to get looks at first base, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand also in the mix. Lowe will likely be competing for a bench role, potentially as a lefty bat who can spell the starters or come off the bench in key matchups.
For Cincinnati, this is a low-risk move with potential upside. For Lowe, it’s a chance to show he still belongs in the big leagues - and maybe even rediscover the form that once made him one of the more underrated first basemen in the game. Spring training will tell us a lot, but for now, the Reds have added a proven veteran with something to prove.