Brandon Lowe Named Gold Glove Finalist
The Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman earned a spot as a National League finalist for the prestigious defensive award.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Baseball
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Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe has been named a National League finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. He joins fellow second base finalists Brice Turang and JJ Wetherholt in contention for the defensive honor.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the defensive impact of Lowe, who was a key acquisition for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 2026 offseason. His performance in the field played a significant role in his overall value to the team throughout the year.
Lowe recorded 35 home runs and 96 RBIs across 656 plate appearances in 2026. He finished the season with 5.4 bWAR while posting a slash line of .260/.331/.493.
The players
Brandon Lowe
He is a second baseman who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2026 after being acquired in an offseason trade.
Brice Turang
He is a fellow National League second base finalist for the Gold Glove Award.
JJ Wetherholt
He is a fellow National League second base finalist for the Gold Glove Award.
Rawlings
This is the sporting goods manufacturer that determines and presents the annual Gold Glove Awards.
The details
Rawlings selected the finalists for each position group in both the American and National Leagues based on defensive metrics and performance. Lowe arrived in Pittsburgh following a three-team trade involving the Tampa Bay Rays and the Houston Astros.
Timeline
Brandon Lowe recorded his 2026 statistics throughout the full 2026 season.
Rawlings announced the Gold Glove finalists on October 14, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This nomination underscores the defensive strength of the Pittsburgh Pirates roster during the 2026 season. The recognition reflects Lowe's successful transition to the National League following his previous tenure with the Tampa Bay Rays.
The nomination confirms Lowe's status as a top-tier defensive contributor, which significantly boosts his standing in team roster projections. This honor serves as a formal recognition of the defensive value he provided to the Pirates throughout his 656 plate appearances.
The takeaway
Lowe's selection highlights the importance of versatile play as he contributed both power at the plate and elite fielding skills. Fans can look to defensive metrics when evaluating player impact beyond traditional offensive stats like home runs and RBIs.
Further reading
For more on the latest team developments and league honors, visit the Pittsburgh Baseball section.
Live Poll
Should a player's award candidacy be based only on their performance with their current team?
