Nathaniel Lowe

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Nathaniel Lowe

|image = Nate Lowe (cropped).jpg

|caption = Lowe with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019

|position = First baseman

|team = Washington Nationals

|number = 33

|bats = Left

|throws = Right

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|7|7}}

|birth_place = Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = April 29

|debutyear = 2019

|debutteam = Tampa Bay Rays

|statyear = May 24, 2025

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .268

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 97

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 363

|teams =

Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2019}}–{{mlby|2020}})
Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2024}})
Washington Nationals ({{mlby|2025}}–present)

| awards =

}}

David Nathaniel Lowe Jr. ({{IPAc-en|l|oʊ}} {{respell|LOH|'}};{{cite web | last=Curtis | first=Charles | title=Here is how to pronounce the last name of Rays star Brandon Lowe | website=For The Win|publisher=USA Today | date=October 22, 2020 | url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/10/rays-brandon-lowe-last-name-pronunciation | access-date=October 27, 2024}} born July 7, 1995) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers. He made his MLB debut in 2019 with the Rays.

Amateur career

Lowe attended Pope High School in Marietta, Georgia, where he also played upright bass in orchestra and jazz bands. He enrolled at Mercer University and played college baseball for the Mercer Bears in 2014. He transferred to St. Johns River State College for the 2015 season, and transferred to Mississippi State University to play for the Mississippi State Bulldogs for 2016. That year, he was named a Second Team All-American by Louisville Slugger.{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2016/06/02/msus-hudson-lowe-named-louisville-all-americans/85288938/ |title=MSU's Hudson, Lowe named Louisville All-Americans |publisher=Clarionledger.com |date=June 2, 2016 |access-date=July 7, 2018}}

Professional career

=Tampa Bay Rays=

The Tampa Bay Rays selected Lowe in the 13th round, with the 390th overall selection, of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|last=Chastain |first=Bill |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-get-nathaniel-lowe-in-13th-round-of-draft/c-183480152 |title=Rays get Nathaniel Lowe in 13th round of Draft |work=MLB.com |date=May 24, 2018 |access-date=July 7, 2018}} He signed and made his professional debut with the Hudson Valley Renegades of the Low–A New York-Penn League, batting .300/.382/.437 with four home runs and 40 runs batted in (RBI) in 67 games.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=663993#/career/R/hitting/2018/ALL|title=Nathaniel Lowe Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=MiLB.com|access-date=October 21, 2018}} He played for both the Bowling Green Hot Rods of the Single–A Midwest League and the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the High–A Florida State League in 2017,{{cite web|url=https://www.bgdailynews.com/sports/hot_rods/lowe-brothers-relishing-chance-to-play-together/article_847988ad-96cd-5d21-9aa1-94114513325d.html |title=Lowe brothers relishing chance to play together | Hot Rods |publisher=bgdailynews.com |date=April 21, 2017 |access-date=July 7, 2018}} hitting .274 with seven home runs and 59 RBI in 115 games between both teams.

Lowe began the 2018 season with Charlotte.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/nathaniel-and-josh-lowe-making-waves-for-charlotte-stone-crabs/c-278945468 |title=Lowe brothers making waves in Charlotte |publisher=MiLB.com |date=May 30, 2018 |access-date=July 7, 2018}} He received a midseason promotion to the Montgomery Biscuits of the Double–A Southern League, and was named to represent the Rays in the 2018 All-Star Futures Game.{{cite web|last=Kennedy |first=Jahmal |url=http://www.wsfa.com/story/38589534/biscuits-slugger-selected-to-all-star-futures-game |title=Biscuits slugger selected to All-Star Futures Game - WSFA.com Montgomery Alabama news |publisher=Wsfa.com |date= July 7, 2018|access-date=July 7, 2018}} The Rays promoted Lowe again, to the Durham Bulls of the Triple–A International League, in August.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/tampa-bay-rays-nathaniel-lowe-shines-in-triple-a-debut/c-289542178|title=Bulls' Lowe dazzles in Triple-A debut|website=MiLB.com|access-date=April 30, 2019}} Lowe was named to the 2018 MLB Pipeline team of the year after hitting .330/.416/.568 with 27 home runs and 102 RBI in 130 games between the three clubs.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2018-pipelines-prospect-team-of-the-year/c-293675566?tid=151437456|title=2018 Pipeline's Prospect Team of the Year|website=MLB.com|language=en|access-date=September 7, 2018}} He returned to Durham to begin 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/2019/03/16/rays-reassign-prospect-nate-lowe-in-dropping-9-more-from-spring-roster/ |title=Rays Journal: Prospects Nate Lowe, Colin Poche among latest cuts |publisher=Tampabay.com |date=March 16, 2019 |access-date=April 30, 2019}}

The Rays promoted Lowe to the major leagues for the first time on April 29, 2019.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26634075/rays-promoting-slugging-first-baseman-lowe |title=Rays promoting slugging first baseman Lowe |work=Espn.com |date= April 29, 2019|access-date=April 30, 2019}} On July 5, he hit his first major league home run against the New York Yankees.{{cite web |title= Rays' Nate Lowe: Slugs first big-league homer |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-nate-lowe-slugs-first-big-league-homer/amp/ |work= CBS Sports |access-date= June 6, 2019}} On July 13, Lowe recorded his first multi home run game.{{cite web |title= Batter's Box: How Lowe can you Go?

|date=July 14, 2019 |url=https://www.pitcherlist.com/batters-box-how-lowe-can-you-go/ |publisher= Pitcher List |access-date= July 14, 2019}} In 2020 for the Rays, Lowe appeared in 21 games, slashing .224/.316/.433 with 4 home runs 11 RBI in 76 at–bats.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fantraxhq.com/nate-lowe-top-10-fantasy-1st-baseman-in-2021/|title = Can Nate Lowe be a Top-10 Fantasy 1st Baseman in 2021?|date = December 14, 2020}}

=Texas Rangers=

On December 10, 2020, the Rays traded Lowe to the Texas Rangers along with Jake Guenther and Carl Chester in exchange for Heriberto Hernández, Osleivis Basabe, and Alexander Ovalles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/nate-lowe-trade-from-rays-to-rangers|title = Texas adds 1B Lowe in 6-player trade with TB|website = MLB.com}} Over 157 games in 2021, Lowe hit .264/.357/.415/.771 with 18 home runs and 72 RBIs.{{Cite web|last=Levi Weaver|date=October 6, 2021|title=Grading the 2021 Texas Rangers: Position players edition|url=https://theathletic.com/2862425/2021/10/06/grading-the-2021-texas-rangers-position-players-edition/|access-date=October 8, 2021|website=The Athletic}}

On June 15, 2022, Lowe became the first player to strike out in two immaculate innings in one game versus the Houston Astros. It was also the first occurrence in major league history of more than one immaculate inning thrown on the same date. The first was hurled in the second inning by starter Luis Garcia and the second in the seventh inning by reliever Phil Maton.{{cite news |title=Houston Astros' Luis Garcia, Phil Maton first in recorded history to throw immaculate innings in one game |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34097896/houston-astros-luis-garcia-phil-maton-first-recorded-history-throw-immaculate-innings-one-game |access-date=June 16, 2022 |work=ESPN.com |date=June 15, 2022}}

Lowe hit into 3–6 triple play in the fourth inning on August 22, lining out to Minnesota Twins first baseman José Miranda, who put out Corey Seager and threw to shortstop Carlos Correa to put out Marcus Semien at second base.{{cite news |last=Park |first=Do-Hyoung |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/twins-turn-second-triple-play-of-2022 |title=Twins turn their second triple play of the season |work=MLB.com |date=August 22, 2022 |access-date=September 3, 2022}} For the week ending August 28, 2022, Lowe was named AL Player of the Week. In six games, he batted .385/.407/.923/1.331 (10-for-26) with four home runs and 11 RBI. He led all MLB players in RBI, home runs (tied), and total bases (tied-24).{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/rangers-1b-nathaniel-lowe-named-al-player-of-the-week/3060592/#:~:text=The%20Texas%20Rangers%20say%20first,weekly%20player%20award%20this%20season. |title=Rangers 1B Nathaniel Lowe named AL Player of the Week |publisher=NBC DFW |date=August 30, 2022 |access-date=September 3, 2022}}

Lowe finished the 2022 season hitting .302/.358/.492/.851 with 27 home runs and 76 RBI.{{Cite magazine |last=Postins |first=Matthew |date=November 16, 2022 |title=Rangers 40-Man Roster Wraps: Nathaniel Lowe |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/rangers/news/texas-rangers-40-man-roster-nathaniel-lowe-review-profile-offseaon |access-date=January 8, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} He received the 2022 American League Silver Slugger Award for first basemen.{{Cite web |last=Grant |first=Evan |date=November 10, 2022 |title=Texas Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe wins Silver Slugger award |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/rangers/2022/11/10/texas-rangers-first-baseman-nathaniel-lowe-wins-silver-slugger-award/ |access-date=January 8, 2023 |website=The Dallas Morning News}}

On January 13, 2023, Lowe agreed to a one-year, $4.05 million contract with the Rangers for the 2023 season, avoiding salary arbitration.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/01/2023-mlb-arbitration-tracker.html|title=2023 MLB Arbitration Tracker|access-date=January 13, 2023|website=MLBTradeRumors}} Over 161 games in 2023, Lowe hit .262/.360/.414/.775 with 17 home runs and 82 RBI. Lowe and Texas won the 2023 World Series.{{Cite web |last=Passan |first=Jeff |author-link=Jeff Passan |date=November 2, 2023 |title=A night 63 years in the making: Inside the celebration as the Texas Rangers -- finally -- became World Series champions |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38802027/world-series-mlb-2023-rangers-texas-philosophy-title-championship |access-date=November 6, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}} Lowe won the American League Gold Glove Award for first base in 2023, the first of his career.{{Cite web |last=Landry |first=Kennedi |date=November 5, 2023 |title=Heim, Lowe, García add Gold Gloves to Rangers' trophy case |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jonah-heim-nathaniel-lowe-adolis-garcia-2023-gold-glove-awards |access-date=November 6, 2023 |website=MLB.com}}

In 2024, Lowe played in 140 games for the Rangers, batting .265/.361/.401 with 16 home runs and 69 RBI.{{Cite web |title=Nathaniel Lowe Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/nathaniel-lowe-663993 |access-date=December 23, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

=Washington Nationals=

On December 22, 2024, the Rangers traded Lowe to the Washington Nationals in exchange for Robert Garcia.{{Cite web |date=December 22, 2024 |title=Nationals land 1B Lowe in trade with Rangers |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43116076/washington-nationals-get-first-baseman-nathaniel-lowe-trade-texas-rangers |access-date=December 23, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} His salary for the 2025 season was set at $10.3 million by the arbitration process.{{cite news |title=Nathaniel Lowe loses to Nationals in final salary arbitration case |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43859481/nathaniel-lowe-loses-nationals-final-salary-arbitration-case |access-date=February 16, 2025 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=February 15, 2025}}

Personal life

His brother, Josh Lowe, plays for the Rays.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/draft-prospect-josh-lowe-driven-by-family-c182821036|title=Draft prospect Josh Lowe driven by family|last=James|first=Pat|date=June 8, 2016|publisher=Major League Baseball|access-date=May 13, 2017}} They were teammates with Bowling Green and Charlotte. His father, David, was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 1986 MLB Draft,{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/lowe-brothers-prepare-to-go-high-in-draft/#oPKL7wFPIKxxMPxp.97|title=Lowe Brothers Prepare To Go High In Draft|last=Winkeljohn|first=Matt|date=May 25, 2016|website=Baseball America|access-date=May 13, 2017}} but instead attended the U.S. Naval Academy and became a Naval Aviator and career fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy for twenty years.{{cite web|url=http://usatodayhss.com/2016/tampa-bay-rays-draft-georgia-brothers-joshua-and-nathaniel-lowe |title=Tampa Bay Rays draft Georgia brothers Joshua and Nathaniel Lowe | USA TODAY High School Sports |publisher=Usatodayhss.com |date= June 12, 2016|access-date=July 7, 2018}}

Prior to the 2021 MLB season, Lowe was known as Nate Lowe. However, Lowe's mom asked for him to be known as Nathaniel professionally after seeing a birthday tweet by Bally Sports Southwest calling him Nate.{{cite web|last1=Plinck|first1=Alex|url=https://www.dallassportsfanatic.com/mama-knows-best-the-reason-for-the-nate-to-nathaniel-switch-for-rangers-first-baseman/ |title=Mama Knows Best: the reason for the Nate to Nathaniel switch for Rangers first baseman |publisher=www.dallassportsfanatic.com |date= June 15, 2021|access-date=October 23, 2023}}