Pirates Strengthen Lineup With Horwitz Trade

Spencer Horwitz needs the Pittsburgh Pirates as much as they need him. In about six weeks, MLB spring training camps are scheduled to open. For the Pirates, for the third time in as many seasons, the club is welcoming a new candidate for the first baseman’s job.

The surroundings of Pirate City will be new for Horwitz, 27, but once the 40-man roster switches their workouts to LECOM Park, that should bring back memories. Horwitz had spent the past three Grapefruit League schedules with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Becoming part of the Pittsburgh club came abruptly for Horwitz this past December. Along with Nick Mitchell, Horwitz was traded to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for Andres Gimenez and Nick Sandlin. Then, Cleveland wasted no time flipping Horwitz immediately to the Pirates on December 10th for Michael Kennedy, Luis Ortiz, and Josh Hartle.

“I was going to see Gladiator (II), when I heard from the Guardians,” said Horwitz during a recent Zoom conference with media members who cover the Pirates. “They (Guardians) told me to stay put, that another move could be happening. A half-hour later, I was a Pirate. I was a little confused going to Cleveland, then super excited that I would be going to Pittsburgh.”

Heading into the opening of training camp in February, it’s safe to assume that Horwitz has the inside track in being manager Derek Shelton’s starting first baseman for the 2025 season. There are no assurances for the left-handed hitter.

Horwitz, drafted by Toronto in the 24th round back in 2019, joins a Pirates’ club that has had different first basemen over the past couple of seasons. In 2023, Carlos Santana and Ji-Man Choi arrived in Bradenton as the leading candidates for the job. Rowdy Tellez was brought in as the starting first baseman this past season.

Despite his limited time spent on the MLB roster over the past two seasons with Toronto, the Pirates’ front office liked what they saw in Horwitz. Appearing in 15 big league games in 2023, Horwitz offered a snapshot into what he could potentially bring to the Blue Jays.

Last season, in 97 games with Toronto, Horwitz impressed by driving in 40 RBIs, collecting 87 hits, and slugging 12 home runs. The potential of having an opportunity to play on a regular basis, from Opening Day until 2025’s final regular season game on September 28 in Atlanta, is what Pirates’ leaders are hyped up about.

However, aside from the opportunity of being an everyday player, Horwitz is excited about joining Pittsburgh because of who the club recently added as their new Major League hitting coach.

Prior to being announced to Shelton’s coaching staff in November, Matt Hague was the Blue Jays’ Major League assistant hitting coach in 2024. Before that, Hague was a Minor League hitting instructor with Toronto. Having a familiar face, someone with whom he has a professional relationship, makes Horwitz’s coming to the Pirates that much more comfortable.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Horwitz of being reunited with his hitting coach since Double-A ball. “He’s (Hague) helped me on and off the field. I think Ben (Pirates’ general manager Ben Cherington) had seen what Matt was doing with me in Toronto.”

“When training camp starts in February, Horwitz promises to be ready to compete for the first base job. He tells of having high hopes to bring a lot of quality at-bats with his game. Labeling himself a doubles and triples kind of player as opposed to a home run machine, it’s clear that Horwitz has the right sense of appreciation and attitude towards his new club.

There are a couple of other teammates who Horwitz has a history with, which should make his first days at Pirate City more welcoming. Infielders Alika Williams and Jared Triolo, winner of the Rawlings Gold Glove as a utility player last season with Pittsburgh, played alongside Horwitz in 2018 as members of the Bourne (MA) Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Feeling wanted, as Horwitz is by the Pirates, could only bring out the best in the Baltimore County (MD) native. He is saying all the right things to endear himself to the Pirates’ fan base and his new teammates. He is looking forwards to contributing to the club’s offense, too.

As the next man up to claim and hopefully secure the first base job for many seasons to come, Horwitz has a new lease on his career. The direction of his baseball future couldn’t be any more direct.