Rays’ Brandon Lowe Hopes Big Start to Season Will Translate to All-Star Game Roster Spot

While jumping four players and making up a 300,000-vote deficit is a near-impossible task, Lowe certainly should be in consideration based on his stats. And there are other ways to get in, besides the fan vote.

Entering play Friday, he’s batting .266 with 15 home runs and 41 RBIs. He sits atop all second baseman in both leagues in each category.

"You look at the last couple of seasons, when he's able to play, he produces at a very, very elite All-Star level," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. 

Lowe has been clutch for the Rays. That was on display Wednesday when he sent a two-run shot to right field in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles to tie the game after the Rays trailed 8-0 at one point. 

Tampa Bay ended up winning 12-8, matching its largest comeback in franchise history.

Lowe was an All-Star as a rookie in 2019 when he hit .270, clubbed 17 homers and drove in 51 over 82 games.

Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees will manage the American League in the All-Star Game, to be played July 15 in Atlanta.

"I think Brandon should be at the top of the list as far as an opportunity to represent the Rays," Cash said.

Lowe, who turns 31 next month, has spent his entire career with the Rays.

Other Rays players who are in the top 10 of voting at their positions are first baseman Jonathan Aranda and third baseman Junior Caminero. 

Any teammates on the All-Star team likely would be added by Boone and staff as well.

"It's them, again, helping me to the point that I am," Lowe added. "I think it's every single person's goal in the world of baseball is to be in an All-Star Game, on an All-Star team. It just means that you know you're doing the right things."

Voting for the game’s starters concludes on July 2 at noon ET, with the winners revealed at 7 p.m. ET.