Hunter Greene's Injury Turns Up Heat on 3 Young Reds Pitchers

Burns is seemingly a lock to make the big-league rotation. He has the big arm with the dominant fastball and an even more dominant slider.

“He’s getting there,” Johnson said. “There are little things you have to remind him of. Things you remind young players of, nothing out of the ordinary. He’s taking steps. He carved yesterday (he pitched in a simulated game).”

Burns has the potential to quickly become a Cy Young candidate if he can develop a third pitch and stay in the zone consistently. His changeup and curveball are both developmental pitches right now.

RHP Rhett Lowder

Lowder was a dominant pitcher in the big leagues in 2024, but he fought injuries all last season. This spring, Lowder has bounced back in a big way, showcasing an advanced feel for his arsenal and the ability to pitch without elite velocity in a league full of 100 mile per hour fastballs.

“He’s Rhett,” Johnson said. “He knows how to pitch. He knows what he’s doing. He has done that.”

Lowder's looked incredible this spring. In fact, before Greene's injury, Lowder was pushing Burns for the fifth starter slot in the rotation. Lowder's likely going to be a staple in the Reds rotation for years to come.

LHP Brandon Williamson

While Burns and Lowder have been at the front of a lot of the media's minds, Williamson has gone under the radar a bit as he returns from Tommy John surgery. But Williamson has looked very good over the last few weeks.

“He’s a really pleasant surprise,” Johnson said. “He’s throwing the ball harder than what he did a couple of years ago. That’s a step in the right direction. His stuff seems to be in line. It’s been good.”

The last time Williamson was in the big leagues, he flashed a lot of potential without elite velocity. Since returning, his velocity is up a few miles per hour, which could push Williamson's potential even higher. He's likely looked at as the No. 7 starting pitcher in the entire Reds organization.