January 18, 2023

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe's 2022 season was interrupted multiple times by injuries, and he ended the year with just 65 appearances. Over those contests, he slashed .221/.308/.383 with eight home runs, 31 runs, 25 RBI, and one stolen base, a season after slugging 39 dingers with a .247 batting average. Despite the injuries and down year, there were still bright spots. Lowe dropped his strikeout rate by 4.3%, and his .237 xBA is superior to his actual mark. His average exit velocity was a bit higher than 2021's, and though his barrel rate took a hit, his 10.3% rate is still elite. Everyone knows that Lowe can smash right-handers, and he showed an ability to hit lefties this year, posting a .793 OPS, which he's had trouble with in the past. The 28-year-old's never been much of a runner, but with a healthy season and a Rays team that's aggressive on the bases, nothing's stopping him from stealing a handful of bags. Lowe's going to hit behind solid on-base guys in the middle of the lineup, so even though he probably won't replicate his 196 RBI plus runs from 2021, he'll be able to reach 170 over a full season. The keystone position is relatively weak, and it's hard to find someone with the talent and power at the plate that the former prospect possesses. Lowe's ADP is sitting at 171, making him the 11th second baseman off the board, but he was the ability to outplay that.--Spencer Seguin