Nathan Lowe
From Georgia high school standout to MLB outfielder, Joshua Lowe's path spans two franchises with consistent development.
Joshua Edward Lowe is an American professional baseball outfielder currently with the Los Angeles Angels, having previously built a significant career with the Tampa Bay Rays. Born on February 2, 1998, he made his MLB debut in September 2021 after being selected 13th overall by the Rays in the 2016 draft. Before turning professional, Lowe was a standout at Pope High School in Marietta, Georgia, where he earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors as a senior. His journey from a dual-threat third baseman and pitcher in high school to a dedicated outfielder showcases his adaptability and growth within the Rays' system before moving on to Los Angeles.
- MLB Debut
- September 8, 2021
- First MLB Home Run Date
- April 30, 2022
- Rays 2023 Stats
- .292/.335/.500 with 20 HR, 83 RBI, 32 SB in 135 games
- Angels Trade Date
- January 16, 2026
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Joshua Lowe's professional foundation was laid in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, where he spent nearly a decade developing his skills. After signing as the 13th overall pick in 2016, he split his first season between the Gulf Coast League Rays and Princeton Rays, batting .249 with five home runs. By 2017, he transitioned exclusively to the outfield while playing for the Bowling Green Hot Rods, posting a .268 average with eight homers and 22 stolen bases in 118 games. His progression continued through the Charlotte Stone Crabs in 2018 before he reached the Arizona Fall League following his time with the Montgomery Biscuits in 2019. A pivotal moment arrived on November 20, 2020, when Lowe was added to the Rays' 40-man roster. He dominated Triple-A Durham in 2021, slashing .291/.381/.535 with 22 home runs and 78 RBIs in 111 games, earning a September call-up. His debut on September 8, 2021, featured a walk, a stolen base, and his first career hit off Nathan Eovaldi. Over the next few seasons, Lowe became a staple for Tampa Bay, notably batting .292 with 32 stolen bases in 135 appearances during the 2023 season.
In Their Own Story
The narrative of Joshua Lowe's career includes specific turning points that defined his time in the majors. On April 30, 2022, he hit his first career home run off Minnesota Twins pitcher Dylan Bundy, marking a significant milestone after a modest start to the year where he hit .221 in 52 games. His breakout season came in 2023, where he made 135 appearances for Tampa Bay, hitting 20 home runs and driving in 83 runs while stealing 32 bases. His tenure with the Rays concluded following the 2025 campaign, during which he appeared in 108 games, batting .220 with 11 home runs. On January 16, 2026, a major shift occurred when the Rays sent Lowe to the Los Angeles Angels in a complex three-team trade involving the Cincinnati Reds. This move saw Brock Burke go to the Reds and Gavin Lux to the Rays. Upon joining the Angels, Lowe faced immediate roster fluctuations, being demoted to Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on May 22 before returning to the major league team on June 24.
Reader's Guide
For fans tracking Joshua Lowe's career progression, his statistical trajectory offers a clear picture of his development and performance. In his minor league debut year (2016), he played in 54 games with a .249 average. His speed began to show in 2017 with the Hot Rods, where he stole 22 bases alongside eight home runs. By 2023, Lowe had established himself as a power-speed threat for the Rays, contributing 20 home runs and 32 stolen bases across 135 games. Understanding his value requires looking at his consistency in plate appearances. He made 106 appearances in 2024 with a .241 average and 25 stolen bases, followed by 108 appearances in 2025 with an .220 average. His transition to the Angels in 2026 highlights his continued role as a major league outfielder, despite the mid-season demotion and recall. Fans should note that while he was a third baseman and pitcher in high school, Lowe has played exclusively as an outfielder since 2017.
Did You Know?
- Joshua Lowe was the Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year for Georgia as a high school senior after hitting .391 with 11 home runs.
- He committed to Florida State University before being drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the first round (13th pick) of the 2016 MLB draft.
- Lowe is not related to his former teammate Brandon Lowe, who was drafted a year earlier and uses the pronunciation 'LAU' for his last name.
- His father, David Lowe, was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 1986 but chose to attend the U.S. Naval Academy instead of playing professional baseball.
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