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Nathaniel Lowe 2023 Player Outlook: A Solid 1B Option Price At A Premium
2 years agoThe Texas first-baseman officially broke out in 2022, slashing .302/.358/.492 with 27 homers, 74 runs, and 76 RBI. He did most of that damage after July 1st, as he hit 17 homers on a .320/.381/.533 slash line after the calendar flipped to the hot months. The good news is that he's a very mature hitter with a low 22.9% strikeout rate and a 75% contact rate. That turns into a lot of balls in play for him, which is always a good sign. The downside is that 9.9% barrel rate is short of great levels and he continued to hit a lot of balls on the ground (48% GB%). That ground-ball rate did come way down from his 2021 mark of 54.5% - so that's very good news. He will have to keep that GB% near 45% to flirt with 30 homers again, so the smart money might be on the under in terms of his homer heights next season. He also is not a guy that's going to steal many bases, which is a big downside in roto leagues. The reason to draft Lowe at his ADP of 100 is the relative safety you get from him. There will be plenty of RBI opportunities for him in that Rangers lineup this year, and his plate discipline skills raise his floor considerably. Lowe is a fine but unsexy 1B pick at a bit of an inflated price for 2023.
