Sep 8, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers first base Nathaniel Lowe (30) makes the put out at first base against Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (9) in the sixth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Mississippi State Baseball Alum Named MLB Gold Glove Award Finalist

Originally posted on Mississippi State Bulldogs on SI
By Rich Cirminiello | Last updated Oct 17, 2024 9:25 AM ET

Starkville continues to be a fertile pipeline to Major League Baseball.

Former Bulldog slugger Nathaniel Lowe has been named a Gold Glove Award finalist for American League first basemen. The Texas Ranger is no stranger to the honor, having won the award a year ago.

Congratulations to our Gold Glove Award finalist! #StateToTheShow | #HailState pic.twitter.com/9ZRLuRMMbY
— Mississippi State Baseball (@HailStateBB) October 16, 2024

Lowe started 135 games at first base this season, sporting a .995 fielding percentage and an ultimate zone rating of 2.2. UZR is a sabermetric statistic that measures a player's defensive performance in terms of how many runs he saved his team.

The 29-year-old Marietta, Ga. native spent the 2016 season at Mississippi State after playing one year apiece at Mercer University and St. Johns River State College.

In his one season in Starkville, Lowe hit .348 and sported a .996 fielding percentage to earn Second Team All-American honors.

12 Days until Opening Day!!!

In the opener at LSU, @nathaniel_lowe went yard to clear the bases in the No. 12 play of 2016! #HailState pic.twitter.com/ax9k9CYU9w
— Mississippi State Baseball (@HailStateBB) February 5, 2017

In 2016, Lowe was selected in the 13th round of the MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays and made his Major League debut in 2019. In 2020, he was traded to the Texas Rangers, where he's played ever since.

As a Ranger, Lowe received the Silver Slugger Award for American League first basemen in 2022 and was a World Series champion in 2023.

This year's Golden Glove winners will be revealed on ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” on Nov. 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

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This article first appeared on Mississippi State Bulldogs on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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