Pirates Second Baseman Brandon Lowe Matches Barry Bonds' Home Run Record

Lowe hits 7 home runs in his first 17 games with the Pirates, tying a franchise mark not seen since Bonds' tenure.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:34am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball player's swing, broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, capturing the raw power and energy of the sport.Brandon Lowe's historic home run pace has energized the Pirates' lineup and fanbase.Today in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe has made an immediate impact since joining the team, hitting 7 home runs in his first 17 games - matching a franchise record set by Barry Bonds. Lowe's early power surge has energized the Pirates' lineup and raised expectations for the team's organizational direction.

Why it matters

Lowe's historic start highlights the value of the Pirates' offseason acquisition and provides a jolt of excitement for the team's fanbase. Matching Bonds' franchise record puts Lowe in elite company and demonstrates his potential to be a key building block for the Pirates moving forward.

The details

In his first 17 games with the Pirates, second baseman Brandon Lowe has hit 7 home runs, tying a franchise record set by Barry Bonds during his tenure in Pittsburgh. Lowe's immediate power surge has provided a consistent threat in the middle of the Pirates' lineup, helping energize the offense early in the 2026 season.

  • Lowe hit 7 home runs in his first 17 games with the Pirates.

The players

Brandon Lowe

A 31-year-old second baseman who was acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the offseason and has made an immediate impact, matching a franchise record set by Barry Bonds.

Barry Bonds

A legendary MLB player who previously held the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise record for most home runs hit in the first 17 games of a season.

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What they’re saying

“He's the first guy since Barry Bonds for the Pirates to hit seven home runs in his first 17 games. He's also a very polite young man. He didn't question his manager for pinch‑hitting for him. He had already homered off a lefty earlier in the game, and later, against a tougher lefty, they pinch‑hit Nick Yorke, who hit a hard grounder into a double play. But Brandon Lowe very politely said it was the right move — and so far, he's been the right move for the Pirates.”

— Jon Heyman, MLB Network Analyst

What’s next

If Lowe continues this pace, he could cement his status as one of the most impactful offseason additions in MLB for the 2026 season, providing the Pirates with a legitimate middle-of-the-order power threat to build around.

The takeaway

Brandon Lowe's historic start with the Pittsburgh Pirates has energized the team's fanbase and raised expectations for the organization's future. Matching Barry Bonds' franchise record for home runs in the first 17 games demonstrates Lowe's potential to be a cornerstone player for the Pirates as they look to build a contender.