Trading for Tampa Bay Rays fixture Brandon Lowe has helped ignite the Pittsburgh Pirates' good start.
PITTSBURGH – The Tampa Bay Rays were all Brandon Lowe ever knew when it came to professional baseball until last December.
The Rays drafted Lowe in the third round in 2015 from the University of Maryland. He played 11 seasons in the organization, making his major-league debut in 2018 and becoming a two-time All-Star second baseman.
Last December, the Rays shipped Lowe to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of a three-team trade with the Houston Astros. Lowe wasn’t surprised by the trade, as he is eligible for free agency at the end of this season.
However, Lowe admittedly felt a little lost when he reported to spring training in February.
“The first week was pretty tough,” Lowe told Roundtable Sports. “You’re trying to learn a new facility, trying to get to know all your new teammates, and just generally trying to get comfortable with a new organization.”
Lowe is fully assimilated now and has been a good fit in the Pirates’ lineup, providing production to a team that finished last in the major leagues in runs scored and home runs last season. Through 17 games, he has a team-leading seven home runs and a .262/.378/.615 slash line.
“Obviously, when you come to a team that traded for you, they saw something in you, and you want to get out there and prove them right,” Lowe said. “You want your teammates to know that you can help them win games. So, it’s been very important to have a good start, and it’s great to be part of what can be a very good team.”
Pittsburgh is off to an 11-8 start and tied for first place in the National League Central with the Cincinnati Reds. That comes after the Pirates finished last in the division each of the past two seasons.
“Brandon’s a baseball player,” Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly said. “He fits right in with the mindset that we have here, that tough, blue-collar, gritty mentality. That’s what he brings every single day. He’s just a really good baseball player.”
Pittsburgh opens a three-game series with the visiting Rays, who are on an eight-game winning streak, on Friday night at PNC Park. Rookie Bubba Chandler (0-1, 3.86) will pitch for the Pirates and face Nick Martinez (0-0, 2.16).
The series has obvious significance for Lowe. Rays manager Kevin Cash thinks so highly of Lowe that he called his former player on the day before spring training.
“Honestly, it was awesome,” Lowe said. “I really wasn’t expecting the phone call. It’s one of those things where, as much of a business as this game is, you kind of forget how much of a personal impact you have on other people and how close you grow to them.
“I’ll go by and see everybody and say hello before the game. But my job is with the Pirates now. You have put all the sentimental stuff behind you and concentrate on helping your team win.”
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