Terry Francona had a message for Cincinnati Reds first baseman Nathaniel Lowe ahead of Opening Day.
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So the Cincinnati Reds made a big decision ahead of opening day, and they awarded the final spot on their forty-man roster to first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.
So the Cincinnati Reds made a big decision ahead of opening day, and they awarded the final spot on their forty-man roster to first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.
So the move comes after a competitive spring in which several players made strong cases, but ultimately experience won and fit won out, and that’s why Lowe’s on the roster.
So the move comes after a competitive spring in which several players made strong cases, but ultimately experience won and fit won out, and that’s why Lowe’s on the roster.
So Lowe originally signed with Cincinnati in February with– on a minor league deal with an invitation, of course, to Major League camp.
So Lowe originally signed with Cincinnati in February with– on a minor league deal with an invitation, of course, to Major League camp.
By making the opening day roster, his contract now converts into a one point seven five million dollar salary, a strong outcome for him in essentially what was a prove-it spring.
By making the opening day roster, his contract now converts into a one point seven five million dollar salary, a strong outcome for him in essentially what was a prove-it spring.
The decision did not come with difficult conversation– conversations, however, especially considering the competition that Nathaniel Lowe faced.
The decision did not come with difficult conversation– conversations, however, especially considering the competition that Nathaniel Lowe faced.
So manager Terry Francona explained that the choice just came down to role.
So manager Terry Francona explained that the choice just came down to role.
He noted that J.J. Bleday along with Rhys Hines both swung the bat well, which they did, but the Reds want them playing every day in Triple A rather than sitting on a bench role.
He noted that J.J. Bleday along with Rhys Hines both swung the bat well, which they did, but the Reds want them playing every day in Triple A rather than sitting on a bench role.
Lowe, meanwhile, fits the job the club needed to fill.
Lowe, meanwhile, fits the job the club needed to fill.
Lowe ultimately beat out both younger players for that final spot, helped by an excellent spring training himself, where he hit near three hundred with a one point zero one eight OPS, adding three home runs and eight RBIs in sixteen games.
Lowe ultimately beat out both younger players for that final spot, helped by an excellent spring training himself, where he hit near three hundred with a one point zero one eight OPS, adding three home runs and eight RBIs in sixteen games.
For Lowe, the opportunity represents a chance to reset his career tra-trajectory.
For Lowe, the opportunity represents a chance to reset his career tra-trajectory.
The twenty-nine-year-old has spent seven seasons in the majors at this point since his debut in twenty nineteen with the Tampa Bay Rays, and he brings a strong individual resume that includes a World Series title, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove from his time with the Texas Rangers.
The twenty-nine-year-old has spent seven seasons in the majors at this point since his debut in twenty nineteen with the Tampa Bay Rays, and he brings a strong individual resume that includes a World Series title, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove from his time with the Texas Rangers.
However, his production really did dip in twenty twenty-five, which led to this prove-it type deal.
However, his production really did dip in twenty twenty-five, which led to this prove-it type deal.
When– ‘Cause in two stints with the Washington Nationals and Red Sox– Boston Red Sox, he hit just two twenty-eight with an OPS over– under seven hundred in a hundred and fifty-three games, which is not great, especially for a player who’s supposed to be a left-handed slugger and most of his value is supposed to come from the batter’s box.
When– ‘Cause in two stints with the Washington Nationals and Red Sox– Boston Red Sox, he hit just two twenty-eight with an OPS over– under seven hundred in a hundred and fifty-three games, which is not great, especially for a player who’s supposed to be a left-handed slugger and most of his value is supposed to come from the batter’s box.
Now in Cincinnati, Lowe will have a defined but limited role off the bench, and if he can rediscover his form, he could quickly become a valuable contributor and force his way into potentially a larger role for the Reds and their weak offense as the season progresses.
Now in Cincinnati, Lowe will have a defined but limited role off the bench, and if he can rediscover his form, he could quickly become a valuable contributor and force his way into potentially a larger role for the Reds and their weak offense as the season progresses.