Brandon Lowe’s Gold Glove Contention Highlights Major Growth

Brandon Lowe had a career year with the Pittsburgh Pirates in more ways than one.

The 32-year-old’s impact in the lineup was just what the Pirates were hoping for when they traded for him last offseason. Lowe slugged 35 home runs, which is the second-most in his career and the most since his 2021 season.

Yet Lowe also brought something a little more unexpected to the team. He became one of the Pirates’ best defenders in 2026, putting together one of the best defensive seasons of his career.

The second baseman was so impressive that he’s even one of three finalists to be named the National League Gold Glove winner at his position.

Lowe has never been known as a great defender. In fact, there was a case to be made that he was more of a liability in the field during his time with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Just last year, Lowe finished the 2025 season with a fielding run value of -10 (5th percentile) and an outs above average of -14 (1st percentile). All of this came out to a DRS (defensive runs saved) of -14, which was the third-worst among qualified second basemen.

He was statistically one of the worst players in the sport last year, but his growth in such a short time has been staggering.

Lowe ended 2026 ranking in the 96th percentile with a fielding run value of +12 and in the 98th percentile in outs above average, at 15. His DRS of +13 during the 2026 season ended up being the fourth-best among second basemen in baseball.

With such a large turnaround, how did Lowe improve in just one year??

Several factors likely contributed to that improvement. Perhaps a coach or someone within the Pirates organization made a suggestion that worked for Lowe in the field.

It could also have to do with something in the field itself. The turf at Tropicana Field is notorious for being difficult to play on. Even the game’s best defenders slip up from time to time on e the incredibly fast dirt. Just look at Jose Ramirez in Game 2 of the ALCS.

Maybe Lowe has always had this Gold Glove-caliber defense in his arsenal, but his old home ballpark made it hard to showcase it.

The other Gold Glove finalists at second base in the NL are JJ Wetherholt and Brice Turang. Simply put, it’ll be hard for Lowe to jump either player to win the award.

However, even being nominated and considered for the defensive accolade proves just how incredible a season Lowe had.