Brandon Lowe wasted no time making his presence felt with the Pittsburgh Pirates, launching home runs in his first two at-bats. While he didn't manage to maintain that homer pace throughout the weekend, Lowe's performance showcased why he might be one of the Pirates' smartest trade moves from the Tampa Bay Rays.
Lowe's stats from the opening series against the Mets are impressive: a .417 batting average, going 5-for-12, with three home runs, three runs scored, and four RBIs. Fans are buzzing with excitement, speculating that Lowe might be on track to break some franchise records.
The Pirates' record for most home runs in a season by a second baseman stands at 21, set by Neil Walker. Given Lowe's past performance, breaking that record seems well within reach.
In 2021, Lowe smashed 39 home runs, and just last year, he added 31 more to his tally. He also had back-to-back seasons with 21 homers in 2023 and 2024.
However, injuries have been a recurring challenge for Lowe throughout his MLB career. Staying healthy will be crucial, but if he can play over 130 games, surpassing Walker's record seems likely.
The Pirates have shown their commitment by making significant offseason moves to bolster their offense, a strategy they typically don't pursue. Now, with Lowe in the lineup, he not only has the chance to lead this revamped team but also to chase down a record in the process.