Tampa Bay Rays starting to lock up core with Brandon Lowe

The Tampa Bay Rays are beginning to lock up their future core. Brandon Lowe may only be the beginning.

Once the 2020 season passes, the Tampa Bay Rays will have a great deal of financial flexibility. Kevin Kiermaier had been the only player with a guaranteed contract beyond that season, giving the Rays a chance to solidify their core for the decade.

One of those pieces has already been locked into an extension. The Rays have signed Brandon Lowe to a six year extension, with two team options. If he reaches each incentive, and both options are picked up, Lowe could receive up to $49 million over the course of the deal.

While teams are starting to lock in their youngsters earlier in their professional careers, this is the sort of move that the Rays have been known for. They had previously locked up Evan Longoria and Matt Moore early on, and then signed Longoria to a second extension prior to his trade to the Giants.

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Signing Lowe does come with risk, as would be the case with any unestablished player. He blossomed as a prospect last year, producing a .297/.391/.558 batting line with 22 homers and 31 doubles in 445 plate appearances between AA and AAA. Lowe showed a strong batting eye as well, with 57 walks and only 102 strikeouts.

That production earned Lowe a call to the majors over the final two months, where he held his own. Over his 148 plate appearances, Lowe had a .233/.324/.450 batting line, hitting six homers and six doubles. He drew 16 walks, but also struck out 38 times.

Cutting down on that strikeout rate will be the key to Lowe finding success in Tampa Bay. He may not have a set position at this point, playing both outfield corner spots and second last season, but the Rays will find a way to keep his bat in the lineup. If he can make more consistent contact, then he may become that cornerstone player that the Rays expect he will become.

The Tampa Bay Rays are beginning to lock in their core. Brandon Lowe is the first step of that process.