Two members of the 2025 Tampa Bay Rays have been named to the All-Star Game: 1B Jonathan Aranda, who won a player’s vote, and 2B Brandon Lowe.
Aranda exceeded rookie limits during 2022 season but has truly broken out in 2025, having developed plus first base defense, finally taking on a full time role in his age-27 season. His bat has led the Rays offense to their competitive place in the AL East standings this year.
Indeed, Aranda’s 151 wRC+ leads American League first baseman this season.
His selection was not a great surprise, according to fellow honoree Brandon Lowe.
“I think everyone knew and expected Jonny. So hearing Jonny’s name, we were ecstatic and happy for him, and everybody was cheering,” Lowe told reporters in Minneapolis. “But I was a little surprised [about my selection]. I don’t know. Wasn’t expecting anything, and [am] extremely happy to be told that.”
[mlb.com]
Lowe found out he would be honored as an All-Star for the second time in his career on his 31st birthday, having previously made the event in his age-24 season in 2019. He exited the game with a tweak in his side yesterday, and is day-to-day, ending a franchise tying 20-game hit streak (shared with Yandy Diaz).
Among second baseman this season Lowe leads in homeruns (19) and his 127 wRC+ ranks second to Gleyber Torres in Detroit.
Lowe is the second most expensive player on the roster, after Ha-Seong Kim who has one appearance on the season, and is in the last guaranteed year of his contract with an $11.5 million option for 2026.
Whether any other Rays are named to the Midsummer classic — such as 3B Junior Caminero, who could be a candidate for the HR Derby with 21 longballs on the season (3rd overall in the AL East) at age-22 — remains to be determined.