For Brandon Lowe, the call that changed everything was one he had never experienced before. After spending his entire career with the Rays, the idea of being traded was unfamiliar territory until it suddenly became reality.
“To truly hear the words, like, hey you’ve been traded. I’ve never seen it. I’ve never been a part of it. It was a first for me so there’s a lot of mixed emotions.”
Those mixed emotions are understandable for a player who grew up in one organization, but Lowe did not take long to recognize familiar themes when he landed in Pittsburgh. In many ways, he sees the Pirates in the same light the Rays have lived in for years, constantly underestimated and rarely given the benefit of the doubt.
“I’m sure it’s the same with the Pirates. It’s always overlooked these guys, always look past them. You know, they’re not going to be as good as they think they are going to be. And now it’s just, let’s go prove them wrong.”
That mindset has defined Lowe’s career. Coming from an organization known for doing more with less, he understands that success is built through consistency rather than hype. Having played meaningful baseball deep into seasons, Lowe believes the key is resisting the temptation to look too far ahead.
“I think the biggest thing about getting to postseason baseball is to not think about postseason baseball. It’s a grind. It’s a dog fight of a season and once you start looking that far ahead, the game catches up with you and knocks you down. You’ve got to stay focused on the next game and the game that’s here.”
That grind does not just test teams. It tests individuals. Over a 162-game season, slumps are inevitable, something Lowe knows well after eight years in the league. His approach now is much simpler than it once was.
“The biggest thing, and I hate that it took me eight years to figure this out, control your controllables. Just go man, grind through it.”
That perspective aligns with the direction the Pirates appear to be heading. From Lowe’s point of view, this is a team that already had a strong foundation and simply needed the right additions to push it forward.
“It’s a special group. They just needed to add a couple pieces in to make it really good and it seems like they want to win. They’re going after guys that are good dudes and will make for a good clubhouse environment, and when you have a good clubhouse, things seem to translate onto the field.”
Clubhouse culture matters, and Lowe was quick to note how leadership can set the tone. For him, that starts with authenticity and approachability, qualities he already sees in Pirates Manager Don Kelly.
“If my manager is loose and having a good time, and can handle when stuff gets thrown back at him, it makes things a little bit easier to play for the guy.”
Lowe also arrives in Pittsburgh alongside former teammates Jake Mangum and Mason Montgomery. His descriptions of the two paint a clear picture of what the Pirates are getting on both the mound and in the field.
“Mason is going to be one of the most laid-back human beings that you’ve probably ever met that throws a hundred. He is as calm as it can be. His heart does not race very often. You’re getting one heck of an arm, man, he’s got electric stuff and he’s going to work to be really, really good.
Then it’s like a complete 180 with Mangum. That guy, he’s busting his butt, he’s running 110 percent, he’s going to dive into a wall, he’s going to scream and shout and do all this other stuff, but there is not enough good things to say about the two of them. I think Mangum is a sneak part of this trade. I think he’s going to be in a really good spot.”
As one of the more experienced players on a young roster, Lowe understands the balance required to lead while still allowing young players to develop naturally.
“This is a big game and a big stage, and you don’t want someone breathing down your neck telling you to do things one way because it’s not a way that works in baseball. Just because you don’t see it at the field, doesn’t mean he’s not doing it.”
Accountability still exists. It just comes through preparation and effort rather than constant instruction.
“It’s about holding each other accountable and holding them to a certain standard. You know that’s an easy thing to say and not be able to do it, but just make sure guys are showing up getting ready to go and giving it their all. That’s all you can ask for.”
When asked what kind of player the Pirates are getting in Brandon Lowe, the answer was simple and direct.
“A ballplayer, man. I’m going out there and I’m going to give you everything I got every single day. If I’m hurting or something is nagging at me, I’m still going to give everything I can do that day. We play an extremely difficult game, but I’m pretty comfortable with what I’ve been able to do. Hopefully I can do more of the same.”
For a Pirates team working to change both perception and results, that mentality fits exactly what Pittsburgh is trying to build.
