Brandon Lowe, the two-time All-Star second baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays, launched his 21st home run of the 2025 season on Friday night at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The home run came early in the first inning against pitcher Luis Castillo, giving the Rays a 1-0 lead against the Seattle Mariners, though the Rays eventually fell 3-2.
Lowe’s home run helped the Rays strike first, but the Mariners responded in the bottom of the eighth inning when catcher Kyle Raleigh hit his 43rd home run of the year with two runners on base to secure the lead. Despite the loss, Lowe’s milestone highlighted his significant offensive contribution this season.
Season Overview of Brandon Lowe’s Performance
Throughout the 2025 season, Brandon Lowe has maintained solid offensive numbers, batting .274 with 54 runs batted in and an on-base plus slugging (OPS) percentage of .840 through 94 games. His 21 home runs this year equal his second-highest total for a single season, demonstrating consistent power at the plate.
Lowe’s performance places him alongside notable Rays power hitters in the franchise’s history. He is the fourth Tampa Bay player to reach 20 or more home runs in a season on four occasions, joining Carlos Pena, Aubrey Huff, and Evan Longoria. Longoria leads this group with nine seasons of 20-plus homers, highlighting the elite company Lowe has entered.
Joining Elite Second Basemen in Home Run Achievements
In addition to his standing within the Rays organization, Brandon Lowe became the fifth active primary second baseman to hit 20 or more home runs this season. To qualify as a primary second baseman, a player must have appeared in at least half of their games at that position. Lowe shares this achievement with Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros, Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves, Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Marcus Semien of the Texas Rangers.
Lowe and Marte are currently tied for the most home runs by a second baseman in 2025, underscoring Lowe’s power-hitting capability relative to his peers at the position.
Brandon Lowe’s Path from Maryland to the Majors
Brandon Lowe’s journey to the majors has been marked by resilience and steady progress. Originally a Maryland second baseman, Lowe faced two significant injuries early in his career: a torn ACL during his freshman season and a fibula fracture in a Super Regional game against Virginia, which occurred just two days before the 2015 MLB Draft where he was selected 87th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays.
After returning from these injuries, Lowe earned third-team All-ACC honors and led Maryland in hits, walks, runs, and doubles. He also competed in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League during the summer of 2014, showcasing his development as a prospect.
Lowe began his professional career in 2016 with the Bowling Green Hot Rods, batting .248 with five home runs and 42 RBIs across 107 games. The following year, he split time between the Charlotte Stone Crabs and Montgomery Biscuits, earning MVP honors in the Florida State League. In 2018, prior to his major league call-up on August 4, Lowe posted a .297/.391/.558 slash line with 22 home runs, signaling his readiness for the majors.
Team Outlook and Next Steps in the Season
The Tampa Bay Rays hold a record of 57-60 and face the Seattle Mariners, who are 64-53, in the second game of their weekend series. The Rays aim to even the series following their narrow loss, with the next matchup scheduled to begin at 9:40 Eastern Time.
Brandon Lowe’s continued power hitting and consistent offensive production remain critical for the Rays as they navigate a challenging season. His ability to contribute early runs and provide clutch hitting will be vital if Tampa Bay hopes to improve their standing and contend as the season progresses.