Leading the Pittsburgh Pirates in home runs, Brandon Lowe remains humble despite his All-Star-caliber production.
PITTSBURGH — Brandon Lowe has given the Pittsburgh Pirates exactly what they were looking for when they acquired the two-time All-Star second baseman from the Tampa Bay Rays in a December trade.
Lowe has hit 19 home runs and driven in 51 runs to lead the team in both categories while posting a .249/.326/.In 75 games, he has slashed .515/.633/.815, and he has also exceeded his reputation as a subpar defender, notching 5 defensive runs saved.
Lowe showed his value again Thursday in the Pirates’ 5-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners that helped them win two games of a three-game series against the American League West leaders at PNC Park. The win gives Pittsburgh a 41-40 record at the midpoint of the season before they host the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.
Lowe accounted for the game’s first run when he hit a solo homer with one out in the first inning. Lowe singled in a run when the Pirates put the game away with a two-run eighth.
Thursday’s game happened to coincide with the release of the vote totals from the first round of fan balloting for the All-Star Game. Lowe didn’t advance to the final round, meaning he will have to make the National League roster either by getting voted in by the players or being appointed by Major League Baseball.
Lowe would love to take part in the game on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Yet, true to his humble nature, he isn’t campaigning for a spot.
“Not going to be the person that looks at my own play right now,” Lowe said. “I’ll let the media or somebody else do that. I feel like I’ve rolled out some good at-bats, and we’ve stayed healthy throughout the year. That’s the biggest thing this year; it’s a testament to the guys in the training room who have been working with me every day. We can evaluate the season when it’s over.”
All-Star candidates are evaluated at midseason, though. Lowe should get strong consideration after helping transform Pittsburgh's offense from being last in the major leagues in runs scored last season to fourth this year.
“Getting an All-Star nod is awesome,” Lowe said. “I think the player vote happens here soon. When you get voted in by your peers, it’s cool. Obviously, the fan vote is what it is; it’s a popularity contest in a sense.
“Anytime you can get recognized through that point in the year, it means a lot. You are having a good season, you are doing some good things, which means you are rolling out good at-bats. I’ve had times when I thought it was the best year of my career; I wasn’t an All-Star. It is what it is; it is a great accolade and a great thing to have, but it’s not something you have to have to make your season worthwhile.”
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