Mark Jacob Lowery (born July 21, 1990) is an American professional baseball coach and former baseball catcher who is the manager for the Fredericksburg Nationals. Prior to playing professionally, Lowery played college baseball for James Madison University.
| Jake Lowery | |
|---|---|
| Catcher/Manager | |
| Born: July 21, 1990 Midlothian, Virginia | |
Bats: Left Throws: Right | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
Amateur career
editLowery played Little League Baseball in Huguenot, Virginia. At the age of 13, he began playing for travel baseball teams during the summer.[1]
Lowery attended Cosby High School in Midlothian, Virginia, and played for the school's baseball team. In his senior year, he had a .381 batting average with seven home runs, 28 runs batted in (RBIs), and 40% caught stealing percentage.[2] He enrolled at James Madison University, where he played college baseball for the James Madison Dukes in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). He was named a second team All-CAA catcher as a sophomore.[3] In 2011, his junior year, Lowery batted .359 with 24 home runs and 91 RBIs.[4] Lowery was named the CAA Player of the Year and a first team All-CAA catcher,[5] while he was named an All-American by Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America.[4] In 2011, Lowery won the Johnny Bench Award, given to the best catcher in college baseball.[6][7][8]
Professional career
editCleveland Indians
editThe Cleveland Indians selected Lowery in the fourth round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft. After he signed with the Indians, Lowery was assigned to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the Low–A New York–Penn League, where he batted .245 with six home runs and 43 RBI in 69 games. He was the 17th best prospect according to Baseball America. In 2012, Lowery played for the Lake County Captains of the Single–A Midwest League and the Carolina Mudcats of the High–A Carolina League, where he combined to hit nine home runs with 53 RBI.[6] He began the 2013 season with Carolina, and was promoted to the Akron RubberDucks of the Double–A Eastern League in late April.[1] The Indians invited Lowery to spring training in 2014,[9] and assigned him Akron. The Indians invited Lowery to spring training in 2015.[10] Lowery was released by the Indians on March 28, 2016.
Washington Nationals
editOn April 14, 2016, Lowery signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals organization.
Lowery split the 2018 campaign between the Double–A Harrisburg Senators and Triple–A Syracuse Chiefs, batting .244/.359/.397 with three home runs and 16 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 2, 2018.[11]
On March 14, 2019, Lowery re–signed with Washington on a minor league pact. He spent the year with Double–A Harrisburg, batting .222/.364/.333 with two RBI across 12 appearances. Lowery elected free agency following the season on November 4.[12]
On November 7, 2019, Lowery once more re-signed with the Nationals organization on a new minor league contract. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[13] Lowery became a free agent on November 2, 2020.[14]
Coaching career
editIn 2021, Lowery served as the manager of the Florida Complex League Nationals. In 2022, he was promoted to manager of the Fredericksburg Nationals of the Low-A Carolina League.[15]
Personal life
editLowery's younger brother, Luke, played college baseball for East Carolina University. Their father, Tim, is the baseball coach at Cosby High School. Their mother, Lori, is a high school Spanish teacher.[6][16]
References
edit- ^ a b O'Connor, John (July 4, 2013). "Chesterfield battery reunites with Akron Aeros: Roberts, Lowery will be opponents of Flying Squirrels". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
- ^ Jeter, Fred (June 6, 2012). "The Lowery legacy". Chesterfield Observer. Archived from the original on April 14, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
- ^ "2011 Baseball Roster : Jake Lowery". jmusports.com. James Madison University. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
- ^ a b Suellentrop, Paul (June 29, 2011). "Catcher Lowery had to learn to keep emotions in check". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
- ^ "Lowery tabbed CAA Player of the Year". Augusta Free Press. May 25, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
- ^ a b c Storm, Stephanie (June 15, 2013). "Baseball career of Aeros catcher Jake Lowery fostered by father". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
- ^ Dillman, Damon (July 1, 2011). "Lowery Wins Johnny Bench Award". WHSV-TV. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
- ^ "Cosby's Lowery named nation's top catcher". WCSC-TV. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
- ^ Bastian, Jordan (January 22, 2014). "Prospect Lindor highlights Tribe's non-roster invitees: Shortstop to be joined at spring camp by Naquin, Wendle, Wolters, Lowery and Perez". MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
- ^ Lewis, Ryan (January 27, 2015). "Indians invite seven players to spring training; Francisco Lindor, James Ramsey among them". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
- ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2018". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2019". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ "Full List of 2020-2021 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ "Cosby High, JMU alum Jake Lowery named manager of Nats' Low-A Fredericksburg club".
- ^ "Jake Lowery file". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
External links
edit
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)