Spencer Horwitz embraces his second spring training, ready to help a revitalized Pittsburgh Pirates' lineup.
Asked if he was in a much better spot than this time a year ago, Spencer Horwitz smiled.
Horwitz reported to spring training in 2025, his first with the Pittsburgh Pirates, rehabbing from hand surgery. The first baseman was unable to play in any Grapefruit League games and did not make his season debut until May 17.
That made for a tough time for Horwitz after he had been acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays the previous winter in a three-team trade that also involved the Cleveland Guardians. Horwitz had spent his entire professional career with the Blue Jays after being their 24th-round draft pick in 2019.
“I didn't know what to expect,” Horwitz said of joining the Pirates. “There were a lot of firsts for me, a lot of change.”
However, what has changed is that Horwitz feels at home in his second spring with Pittsburgh. The awkwardness of being the new guy confined to the trainer’s room is long gone.
Horwitz doesn’t have to worry about fitting in anymore, as he established himself as the Pirates’ primary first baseman last season when he hit .272/.353/.434 with 11 home runs in 108 games. Of the 27 Pittsburgh players who had at least one big league plate appearance last season, Horwitz was the only one with an OPS+ over 100, which is league average.
Another encouraging sign was that Horwitz finished the season strong. He hit 10 doubles and six home runs in his last 35 games while slashing .314/.419/.581.
“I obviously wanted the season to keep going, and I wanted to hit that well all year,” Horwitz said. “But that's the nature of (a) 162(-game season) -- it's not going to be perfect every day. I think it's just weathering that storm. I learned a lot about myself, about my teammates, and I think hopefully I can get off to a better start this year. Being healthy is the No. 1 part of that. If the season went a little longer, I think I could have put up some good numbers."
Horwitz is looking forward to this season and to a revamped lineup after the Pirates finished last in the majors in runs scored, home runs, and OPS. During the offseason, Pittsburgh traded for second baseman Brandon Lowe and signed right fielder Ryan O’Hearn and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna as free agents.
“That adds a lot of depth to our lineup,” Horwitz said. “We're just super excited to be able to lean on each other. If somebody's having an off day, we know the guy behind us or in front of us will pick us up."
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