Rhett
Lowder

Wake’s Ace was the same elite-level prospect as seen during Week Five of College Crosscheck. He dominated Louisville for seven innings featuring a fastball up to 95 and two plus secondary offerings in his slider and changeup. For the season, Lowder is now 7-0 with a 1.61 ERA. He has allowed just 44 hits and 11 BB in 56 IP with 67 SO. Overall, there is not anything that I do not like about Lowder. His delivery is polished and repeatable. His arm action is loose. He features an advanced combination of present stuff, command and pitchability. He should be a quick-mover through a minor league system and settle into the middle of a major league rotation. He’s one of the top three pitching prospects in this year’s college draft class and with continued good health he’s a lock to go in the top ten overall picks.

USA CNT: The 2022 ACC Pitcher of the Year sparkled in North Carolina, striking out six without issuing a walk and allowing just one unearned run in his three-inning start. Then he made two starts in the Netherlands, posting a 1.11 ERA with five strikeouts and two walks in 6.1 innings. Lowder features the best combination of present stuff and pitchability of any pitcher on the staff, and he looks like a strong early candidate to be drafted in the first round in 2023. At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Lowder is athletic and strong, with a clean three-quarters arm action that produces 92-95 mph heat with high spin rates into the 2400s. He features two secondary pitches that are both above-average swing-and-miss offerings: a deceptive 86-87 mph changeup with excellent fade and arm speed, as well as a sharp 82-84 slider with very good tilt and tight spin in the 2700-2800s. He’s a performer with both stuff and polish.

Athletic 6-foot-3, 165 pound frame.  Looseness is present throughout the delivery.  Side steps, dragging pivot foot to 1B side of rubber.  Knee lifts to bottom of the chest with foot tucked under the knee.  Strides out on-line with an active backside and quiet upper half.  Level shoulders and long arm swing work to a high-3/4 release with a very quick hand.  Fastball up to 86, ranging 83-86 with arms side run.  Good angle and repeats the release with ease.  Spins the breaking ball with feel for the zone and some sense of changing speeds on it.  Curveball ranged 66-70, throwing a couple at 70 with tight, hard action and 11/5 tilt.  Change-up gives him three weapons in the arsenal.  Has feel and fade at 75-77.  A lot to like in the delivery and stuff as he continues to mature and add strength.