During the 2023 campaign, the Tampa Bay Rays were one of the best teams in baseball. That was partly due to the emergence of Josh Lowe, who became a threat every time he stepped in the box. After fighting his way onto the roster, Lowe proved that he belonged in the majors.
As the Rays won 99 games, Lowe was at the center of their success. In 135 games, he posted a .292 batting average. He hit 22 home runs during his breakout campaign and drove in 83 runs. The Marietta, Georgia native also showed off his speed with 32 stolen bases.
While Lowe set career highs across the board, he is not satisfied. The talented outfielder still has unfinished business and high expectations for the 2024 campaign.
“ We didn’t win the last game of the season last year. I’ll be more satisfied once that happens,” Lowe told reporters on Sunday morning. “ Until we’re able to raise the trophy over our heads, I wouldn’t necessarily say I’d be satisfied.”
As the Rays look to end their championship drought, they know they count on Lowe to produce. During the 2023 campaign he joined elite company. The 26-year-old was one of only seven players in the Majors to record at least 20 homers, 30 steals and 30 doubles. That put him in the same company as Kyle Tucker, Trea Turner and Francisco Lindor.
While his play has raised expectations, Lowe is more motivated than ever. After the Rays were eliminated in the playoffs he watched his brother, Nathaniel, help the Rangers end their championship drought less than a year ago.
“ Seeing what they accomplished and watching those games in person is special,” said Lowe on Sunday. “ You only get there so many times in your life. And I think the group of players that we have here is special enough to accomplish something like that.”
For Lowe, his focus will be consistency. After his incredible start last year, he cooled off in June and July. During that two-month stretch, he posted a slash line of .232/.270/.370. While he was able to get back on track, the Rays offense will need him at his best.
The Rays also know he can take his game to another level, which manager Kevin Cash emphasized on Sunday.
“ If there was one guy that I would say you could see taking the same sizable jump again, I would put it on him,” said Cash. “ Not to put added pressure on, but… knowing, Josh, he’s pretty hungry to be a really, really good player. He’s going to put the work in.”
While spring training is only a few days old, Lowe has already started to back up his manager’s words. He has posted a .667 batting average in two games and recorded one double. Despite the small sample size, he has picked up where he left off last year.
If he can replicate his success, the Rays offense should be in good hands when the regular season begins.
