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CINCINNATI – The selection of Reds prospects Rhett Lowder (No. 1) and Cam Collier (No. 3) to play in the All-Star Futures Game not only highlighted the organization's past two first picks in the Draft, it also rewarded them for their first-half growth in the system.

The Futures Game, scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on Saturday at Globe Life Field in Arlington and airing on MLB Network, is expected to feature 39 of MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects.

Two of those prospects are Lowder and Collier, with both representing Cincinnati on the National League squad.

Lowder, who was chosen No. 7 overall in the 2023 Draft out of Wake Forest, is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 20 overall prospect. The 22-year-old right-handed starting pitcher is 3-4 with a 5.24 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP in 15 starts combined with High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga. He has 17 walks and 77 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings.

The season began superbly at Dayton for Lowder, who went 2-0 with a 2.49 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP in his five starts for the Dragons. At Chattanooga, he was given a bigger challenge, which has been reflected in his numbers.

“Lowder has had his ups and downs," Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. "He played really well at Dayton. He got promoted to Double-A, had a couple of games where he struggled, but overall he’s been pretty good. His strikeouts to walks are really good, and he’s still progressing and learning how to progress to the next level.”

The Reds' starting pitching depth has been tested this season with Nick Lodolo needing three stints on the injured list and Brandon Williamson out since Spring Training with a left shoulder injury. Connor Phillips (Cincinnati's No. 4 prospect) has struggled and was recently demoted to the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

Despite those issues, it would seem a stretch to expect Lowder to take the express route to the big leagues this season. Krall did not want to put a timetable on how quickly Lowder could be pitching for the Reds.

“Let’s let him pitch and keep developing and then we’ll get to that point," Krall said.

In his second pro season, the 19-year-old Collier is the No. 84 prospect overall. He is batting .230 with a .714 OPS and 48 RBIs in 75 games entering Sunday. His 13 home runs have already more than doubled his 2023 total of six with Single-A Daytona.

The No. 18 overall pick in the 2022 Draft, as a 17-year-old from Chipola College, Collier has made some advancements in his second year with the organization. A left-handed hitter, he has been able to access his power more and get more line drives and, obviously, homers.

“When you sign as a young player, you first have to learn what it’s like to be a professional, what it’s like to live on your own and how to do a lot of things," Krall said of Collier. "I think he’s working himself through it and has done a pretty solid job. He’s shown the ability to play third base. He’s got some power in a tough hitters’ park."

Collier is also younger than many of the players at the High-A level.

"It’s been good to watch him progress and continue to take good at-bats against a lot of pitchers that are older than he is," Krall said.