Three Thoughts on the Dayton Dragons, Including Cincinnati Reds Top Prospect Rhett Lowder

The Reds No. 2 prospect is starting the season with the Dragons.

Author:
Jeff Carr
Apr 05, 2024

In this story:

Reds

Prospects

Dayton

Dragons

Rhett Lowder

Cincinnati Reds

Dayton Dragons

The Dayton Dragons will open their season on Friday. I got a chance to meet with manager Vince Harrison and a few of the key players who will begin the season at DayAir Ballpark.

Here are my first impressions about the club, the roster and more:

Get to Dayton to See Rhett Lowder

He is beginning the season with the Dragons, but he isn’t going to be there long. Andrew Abbott spent all of 27 innings (three starts) when he got to Dayton before earning a promotion to Double-A Chattanooga. Nick Lodolo made exactly two starts before being bumped up. Lowder is projected to be better than both of them. He will start Friday’s opener and maybe gets one more start before he will move on.

Lineup Full of Storylines

Cam Collier is a former No. 1 pick and will be the youngest position player in Dayton’s league. He just turned 19. He’ll mostly play third base as he looks to prove he can be a viable glove and a power bat, two questions that emerged for him last year.

Carlos Jorge will be continuing his move to the outfield. He is not yet a reliable fielder, but reps will help improve that, hopefully. The future of the Reds outfield is quite cloudy. He could earn himself a fast track through the system if he can prove competent in the outfield.

Ruben Ibarra is eight homers away from the career record for the Dragons. And before you say “doesn’t that mean he’s been in Dayton for too long?” consider that Joey Votto played more games with the Dragons than Ibarra has. He is also considered the best glove at first base in Dayton’s league. He could be an intriguing player to watch develop this season and beyond.

There’s also Jay Allen who struggled mightily last year due to injury. Victor Acosta (Brandon Drury trade) and Hector Rodriguez (Tyler Naquin trade) are also going to be a part of this outfield. Two hopeful Reds future catchers in Logan Tanner and Cade Hunter will be in the Gem City, as well.

Radar Gun Watch

The record for the fastest pitch ever thrown by a Dayton Dragons pitcher is Hunter Greene at 102. Luis Mey, who will be in the Dragons bullpen this year, threw a pitch at 103 for Daytona last year.

The Dragons will be fun to watch all year.

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Reds for the latest news, exclusive interviews, and daily coverage of the Cincinnati Reds!

Three Thoughts on the Dayton Dragons, Including Cincinnati Reds Top Prospect Rhett Lowder

In this story:

Latest Cincinnati Reds News

Reds Split Spring Training Matchups With White Sox and Rangers

Cincinnati Reds Top Prospect Has Season-Ending Surgery

Reds Land Former All-Star Infielder in Trade With Blue Jays

Cincinnati Reds Release Lineups For Split-Squad Matchups Against Rangers and White Sox

Cincinnati Reds' Manager Paints Ominous Picture About Injury to Young Infielder