Nathaniel Lowe Stats & Scouting Report — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

Track Record: Once viewed as an organizational player, Lowe transformed himself into a prospect in 2018 after getting into better shape and improving his flexibility in the offseason. He played at three different colleges (Mercer, St. John's River (Fla.) JC and Mississippi State) before joining the Rays as a 13th-round pick in 2016, the same year in which Tampa Bay drafted his brother Josh in the first round. He became the rare Rays prospect to play at three levels in the same season.

Scouting Report: Lowe's improved conditioning wasn't his only tweak. He simplified and shortened a long swing that had always left him vulnerable to fastballs in. Pitchers soon learned that fastballs that used to tie him up turned into home runs. Lowe had always had good pitch recognition, and he had long been able to hit breaking balls and changeups. Getting more pull-oriented and looser at the plate paid off when he squared up more balls. Lowe has plus power to go with an average hit tool. He has to hit as a first baseman who doesn't run well and is a below-average defender.

The Future: Lowe has one season on his résumé in which he has produced, but scouts say that his newfound power and improved swing are no flukes. His plus power is alluring and now that Jake Bauers is traded, his path to a major league role is clearer.