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Red Sox to Sign Nathaniel Lowe: What to Make of Move

Originally posted on New Baseball Media
By Chris Studley | Last updated Aug 18, 2025 10:10 AM ET

It didn’t take long for former Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner Nathaniel Lowe to find a home. The Red Sox are reportedly finalizing a deal for Nathaniel Lowe, who will look to help out at first base for Boston.

A Look at Lowe

The Nationals cut ties with Nathaniel Lowe last week after what’s been a tough campaign for the 30-year-old.

Lowe was acquired by Washington last winter for Robert Garcia, as the Nationals sought to fill a long-standing hole at first base. The ex-Ranger had desirable tools, including the ability to work his way on base, going the other way, and hitting for power along the way.

This year, Lowe has hit for power. The former National hit 16 home runs (4.7 Barrel/PA) across 490 plate appearances this season. Lowe was pulling the ball more, as his 32.4% Pull% would rate as a career-high for the veteran first baseman.

However, there were negatives despite the added power.

Year	Stat	Percent
2024	In-Zone Whiff%	16.7%
2025	In-Zone Whiff%	12.7%
2024	Fastball Whiff%	18.1%
2025	Fastball Whiff%	22.2%
2024	Called Strike%	29.2%
2025	Called Strike%	29.4%

Called Strike% was calculated by called strikes divided by total strikes.

Lowe’s walk rate dropped from 12.6% in 2024 to 9.6% in 2025. The chase rate is up slightly, as was his percentage of taking called strikes.

His .292 on-base percentage this season would rate as the lowest of his career. Not only would it be a career low but keep in mind his lowest on-base percentage in a full season was back in 2021 at .357, a very good percentage.

Defensively, Lowe’s range (-10 Outs Above Average) was poor in 2021. However, he put up a combined +12 OAA between 2022-23, significantly better. This season, it was -5.

ESPN first reported that the Red Sox were finalizing a deal for Nathaniel Lowe.

Analysis

If Lowe wanted to A) find regular playing time for the rest of 2025 and B) play for a contender, the Red Sox were essentially the only fit.

Boston has been mixing and matching at first since Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury early on in the 2025 campaign. Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro have both received considerable work at first for the Sox.

Gonzalez has been fantastic this season against left-handed pitching, as the 28-year-old hit .354/.404/.667 (1.071 OPS) against southpaws this season. However, he’s only posted a .665 OPS against right-handed pitching.

Lowe, a left-handed hitter who’s slashed .264/.349/.437 (.786 OPS) against righties, can help in that regard. While he’s not a plus hitter, he can work counts and get on base. Not to mention, the power has been there.

This article first appeared on New Baseball Media and was syndicated with permission.

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