With Spencer Horwitz still annihilating minor league pitching, it's time to promote him
26-year-old Spencer Horwitz has certainly enjoyed facing minor league pitching this season for Triple-A Buffalo, and his offensive outburst brings with it speculation as to whether the first baseman deserves a spot on the Blue Jays’ major league roster. Given the recent offensive struggles from Toronto’s lineup, it only makes sense that a surging Horwitz should at least be considered for a bench spot to bolster their prowess at the plate.
Through 27 games with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, Horwitz has slashed .343/.466/.957 and has walked more times than he has struck out by a ratio of 25 free passes to 19 strikeouts. Playing primarily at first base, with a small dose of DH and left field, Horwitz has more than proven his ability to hit the ball with regularity. In 2023, his September call-up to the major league club saw a decrease in his OPS from .945 in Triple-A to .726 in the MLB, but he still stood his ground as a solid bat in Toronto’s lineup in his limited time with the club.
Coming back to the recent offensive struggles for Toronto’s top-level team, two of the bright spots thus far in the season have been Davis Schneider and Ernie Clement, and when in the company of Spencer Horwitz they become the Buffalo Boys. The two aforementioned members of the Buffalo Boys have totaled impressive OPS numbers of .796 and .778. In a lineup whose 1-2-3 punch of George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Bo Bichette is all being held under .700, the Buffalo Boys are providing Toronto with a much-needed spark from their bats.
Thus far in his 2024 minor league stint, Horwitz has stunned with his bat, ranking third in MiLB in average and fourth overall in on-base percentage (.477). His 25 walks are also tied for third in the league with Justyn Henry-Malloy (Tigers) and Daniel Schneemann (Guardians). It’s safe to say that Horwitz is ravaging minor league pitching and he is ready for more of a test. In terms of heavy slugging, however, you won’t find him atop the home run leaderboards in 2024 as he’s only knocked two balls out of the park alongside 20 RBI.
One can’t just simply call up a player, however, since a roster spot would have to be opened up for the lefty to find his way onto the team. It has loomed increasingly more in the passing weeks that Daniel Vogelbach, who is already struggling to find regular playing time, has had his fair share of poor performance at the plate and Toronto’s not really benefiting from keeping him on the team. Not only does Horwitz represent a more competent and reliable bat in the Blue Jays’ lineup, but he boasts at least a little bit of defensive versatility. Vogelbach is a DH by trade and Horwitz simply does this but better with his more adaptable skillset. Toronto’s initial signing of Vogelbach in the offseason surprised many Jays fans and his performance thus far has not encouraged any changes of heart.
Spencer Horwitz could easily find his way onto the Blue Jays’ major league roster if an injury or poor performance continues to plague the team, and he’s shown that he’s the clear first choice that should be made. For the time being, he’ll continue to destroy the hopes and dreams of opposing Triple-A pitching and wait for the call from Toronto.
This article was originally published on jaysjournal.com as With Spencer Horwitz still annihilating minor league pitching, it’s time to promote him.