COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Brandon Lowe, former Maryland baseball player (2013-15) and current Tampa Bay Ray, was named a finalist for the American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award, announced Monday by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

"As soon as I was told that I was going to [spring training] with the team I wanted to be the rookie of the year,'' Lowe said on a conference call with reporters Monday. "That's the award I had as a personal goal… the team comes first, but tucked away this is what I had my eyes set on for myself.''

A 2015 D1Baseball.com Second Team All-American, Lowe was a career .338 hitter with 10 home runs and 30 doubles as a Terp. He was named a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2015 and helped Maryland to consecutive Super Regional appearances in 2014 and 2015. Lowe was drafted in the third round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Rays and made his MLB debut on Aug. 5, 2018.

Earlier this year, Lowe became the first Maryland position player selected to the MLB All-Star game since 1947. Once October rolled around, Lowe joined LaMonte Wade (Twins) and Adam Kolarek (Dodgers) to mark the first time Maryland has had three former players on MLB Postseason teams, while making Maryland one of 15 schools with at least three players represented on playoff teams.

In his breakout rookie campaign, Lowe hit .270/.336/.514 with 17 home runs and 51 RBI in 82 games, but missed most of the second half of the season due to injury.

The BBWAA will announce the winner of the AL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year on Monday, November 11 at 6:00 ET.

-TERPS-