With Nelson Cruz on COVID-19 IL, A perfect opportunity to call up Josh Lowe

Nelson Cruz is the scariest bat in the Tampa Bay Rays lineup, but he will be missing for at least a couple of days after being placed on the COVID-19 IL. Although it is impossible to replace Cruz’s bat, they have a pretty good option sitting in Triple-A.

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Where is Josh Lowe?

Josh Lowe is the Tampa Bay Rays’ fourth overall prospect and the 79th overall prospect in all of baseball. Lowe was a first-round pick by the Rays in 2016 and has been crushing the baseball in Durham all season.

So far this season, Lowe is hitting .270 with a .354 on-base percentage, .897 OPS, and over the weekend, became the first Durham Bulls player since 2007 to record 20 home runs and 20 steals in a season.

After a season like he’s having, it begs the question, why isn’t this guy in ‘The Show?’

Tampa Bay Rays are too deep for Josh Lowe

Josh Lowe is an outfielder, playing games in left, center, and right field this season. He also has DH’d for the Bulls this season. Lowe is mainly a centerfielder, which is why it seemed to be a no-brainer that Lowe would take over for Kevin Kiermaier at some point this season.

However, Kiermaier is having no part of that. KK got off to a rough start this season, hitting only .212 through the end of May. However, in June, Kiermaier took off. KK hit .254 in June alone, slugged .358, and drove in more runs in June than in March-May.

Kiermaier dipped a bit in July but has been red hot in August. Kiermaier is slashing .333/.404/.590 with a .994 OPS in 14 games this month. Kiermaier has homered twice this month, he had only two home runs from March-July.

So, Kiermaier has fought off Lowe, for now, and with Randy Arozarena, Austin Meadows, and Nelson Cruz, Lowe had nowhere to play. However, that has changed.

It’s time to give Josh Lowe the call

Like we mentioned at the top, Nelson Cruz will be down a couple of games due to being placed on the COVID-19 IL. Leaving a hole in the lineup. A hole that should be filled by Josh Lowe.

Lowe is more than ready to play, and could fill right in at the top of the order, maybe in the two spot? That way, Kevin Cash, and the Tampa Bay Rays coaching staff can see what Lowe can do, and make the decision on if he can help the team in the postseason.

It’s not rocket science, although sometimes it feels like it with the Tampa Bay Rays. Lowe is killing Triple-A pitching, it’s time to see what he can do in Major League Baseball.