Hi there! As a huge fan of baseball, I firmly believe that Josh Lowe of the Tampa Bay Rays deserves to be an All-Star this season. The 23-year-old has been a standout player for the Rays, with an impressive .233 batting average and 11 home runs so far this year. Not only that, but he’s also proven to be an exceptional fielder with his quick reflexes and powerful arm. With these skills and more, I truly believe that Josh Lowe has what it takes to make it to the All-Star game.
The Case for Josh Lowe as an All-Star
As the baseball season approaches the halfway mark, it’s time to start considering who deserves consideration for the All-Star game. One player who should be at the forefront of these discussions is Josh Lowe.
The Stats
Let’s start with the numbers. Through the first 70 games of the season, Lowe has a slash line of .259/.348/.460 with 10 home runs and 39 RBI. While those numbers may not jump off the page, they are certainly respectable for a player in his first full season at the Major League level.
What’s more impressive is the fact that Lowe has shown a unique combination of power and speed. He’s tied for third on his team in home runs, and he’s also stolen 11 bases in 14 attempts. In today’s game, where speed is becoming more and more of a premium, that’s a valuable asset.
The Defense
But Lowe’s contributions haven’t just been on the offensive side of the ball. He’s also been one of the best defensive outfielders in the game this season.
According to Fangraphs, Lowe ranks fifth among all outfielders in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) with 11. For context, the leader in that category is Byron Buxton, widely regarded as the best defensive outfielder in the game, with 16. So Lowe is in some pretty elite company when it comes to his defensive abilities.
But it’s not just the advanced metrics that paint Lowe as a great defender. Fans who have watched him play have seen him make a number of highlight-reel plays throughout the season. Whether it’s chasing down a fly ball in the gap or making a diving grab to rob a hitter of a hit, Lowe has proven himself to be an elite defender.
The Intangibles
Of course, some of Lowe’s value goes beyond the traditional stats and metrics. He’s also shown himself to be a leader and a hard worker both on and off the field.
In a recent interview with the Tampa Bay Times, Rays manager Kevin Cash praised Lowe’s work ethic and attitude, saying, “He’s somebody that we can count on every single day to bring a ton of energy, be ready to do whatever is asked of him.”
That kind of praise from the manager shows just how much Lowe’s teammates and coaches appreciate his contributions both on and off the field.
The Competition
Of course, in order for Lowe to make the All-Star team, he’ll have to beat out some stiff competition. The American League is loaded with talented outfielders, including Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, and Byron Buxton.
But when you look at the numbers and the intangibles, there’s a case to be made that Lowe deserves to be in the conversation. He may not have the name recognition of some of those other players, but he’s been just as valuable to his team this season.
The Future
Finally, it’s worth considering what Lowe’s future holds beyond this season. At just 23 years old, he’s already showing signs of being a star in this league.
If he continues to develop both at the plate and in the field, there’s no reason he can’t become one of the top outfielders in the game over the next few years. And if he does that, we may look back on this season as the beginning of something special.
Conclusion
In the end, whether or not Josh Lowe makes the All-Star team this season is ultimately up to the voters. But when you look at the numbers, the defense, the intangibles, and the potential, there’s a strong case to be made that he deserves consideration.
If nothing else, he’s a player who is worth keeping an eye on as the season continues and as he continues to develop into one of the game’s most exciting young talents.
