MLB Swings And Misses With Lowe All-Star Snub

There’s still time for Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman to be added to the 2026 National All-Star team.

This happens every baseball season. The All-Star Game approaches, and several players have been snubbed by voters and managers representing their clubs. How in the world is Brandon Lowe not going to Philadelphia after this Sunday’s Pirates game with the Milwaukee Brewers? Study his numbers, then please enlighten me on why he isn’t a reserve yet?

As I type this on Thursday, I have a glimmer of hope that a position player may back out of traveling to Citizens Bank Park from the National League squad, and Lowe gets the call. Wishful thinking? Yes. I must believe that it becomes increasingly obvious as the weekend approaches that Lowe has earned a plane ticket, along with fellow Pirates teammate Braxton Ashcraft, to be in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

The votes aren’t there for Lowe. Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies collected 972,537 votes. He will start the game, and Phillies Bryson Stott, who received 801,006 votes, is the backup second baseman. The numbers don’t lie. But neither does Lowe’s hitting this season.

Lowe has 64 RBIs, an .805 OPS, 21 home runs, 84 hits, 20 doubles, and has missed only seven games this season. With Pittsburgh at 47-46 in the National League Central as they wrap up their home series with Atlanta on Thursday, among all 30 MLB clubs, the Pirates have 120 home runs – tied for sixth place. They also have 472 RBIs – second-most in all of MLB.

The Pirates offense is fueled by several bats this season, with Lowe at the top of the list. Did I say that Lowe leads all MLB second basemen in home runs?

While 26 first-time All-Stars are scheduled to attend, there needs to be room for Lowe, who was an All-Star twice before with the Tampa Bay Rays. In all fairness, Lowe isn’t the only obvious snub by Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts, who will be managing the National League squad.

St. Louis Cardinals rookie second baseman and Pittsburgh-area native JJ Wetherholt is unquestionably deserving of a spot on Roberts’ roster. Having received fewer than 150,000 fan votes than Lowe, the popularity contest is cruel. Fans in larger MLB markets give their players an advantage. I got it. There will always be players on the outside of making the All-Star Game looking in.

It’s a pleasure knowing Detroit Tigers rookie sensation Kevin McGonigle has made the American League team. Same for Cleveland Guardians Travis Bazzana and Parker Messick. Both being selected to represent their club is well earned. Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds, also among the first-timers heading to Philadelphia for the July 14 game, earned his way onto the National League team.

Lowe’s absence (so far) from the 2026 All-Star Game is a punch to the gut for all Pirates fans. With Pittsburgh being third best in scoring runs so far among all MLB teams in 2026 with 475 players coming across the plate, there’s a reason why the club’s offense is feared by opposing pitchers.

Along with Bryan Reynolds and Ryan O’Hearn, Lowe’s bat has remained a lethal weapon for Pittsburgh since Opening Day in March. All he’s done is produce from the batter’s box, day in and day out. I’m holding out hope that someone from the commissioner’s office intervenes and makes the call to Lowe that he will be needed for the All-Star Game.