Pirates Name New Leadoff Hitter vs. Marlins

Apr 13, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz (2) circles the bases on a solo home run against the Washington Nationals during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Pirates Name New Leadoff Hitter vs. Marlins

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Pirates on SI
By Dominic Campbell | Last updated Aug 13, 2026 11:18 AM ET

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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates need anyone to bolster their struggling offense in their lineup, and a new leadoff hitter may do just that.

The Pirates have first baseman Spencer Horwitz leading off against the Miami Marlins in the series finale at loanDepot Park on Aug. 13.

Horwitz takes over for center fielder Jake Mangum, who bats seventh and had hit leadoff in 33 of the past 42 games.

It's a big chance for the Pirates first baseman to really assert himself in the lineup and show that he can be the dominant hitter he was in the first half of the season.

Horwitz Looking to Get Back to Best Form

The Pirates didn't have Horwitz for quite some time, as he suffered a left hamstring injury that kept him out from June 25 to Aug. 1, with 43 games missed.

Horwitz has returned to the Pirates, but hasn't had the same success at the plate, slashing .100/.206/.133 for an OPS of .339 in nine games with three hits in 30 at-bats.

The Pirates haven't had Horwitz leadoff since June 24, the game he got injured trying to beat out a double play, and has hit in the four spot three times and batted fifth five times.

Horwitz hit leadoff 25 times before his injury, including 24 times in his past 27 games before the injury.

He had great success in the leadoff spot, batting .276/.388/.469 for an OPS of .857, with 27 hits, four doubles, five home runs, eight RBI and 15 walks to 14 strikeouts.

This could give Horwitz the boost he needs and see him hit the way he did prior, which was .280/.386/.455 for an OPS of .842, with 69 hits, 11 doubles, 10 home runs, 33 RBI and 40 walks to 40 strikeouts.

Pirates Shake Up Lineup vs. Marlins

Player	Position	Batting Side
Spencer Horwitz	First Base	Left
Brandon Lowe	Designated Hitter	Left
Bryan Reynolds	Left Fielder	Switch
Nick Gonzales	Second Base	Right
Esmerlyn Valdez	Right Fielder	Right
Jacob Gonzalez	Shortstop	Left
Jake Mangum	Center Fielder	Switch
Jared Triolo	Third Base	Right
Rafael Flores Jr.	Catcher	Right

The Pirates made a few changes to their lineup, after not making any following the 2-0 loss in the series opener on Aug. 11, resulting in an 8-2 loss in the second game on Aug. 12.

Brandon Lowe will bat second, but serve as designated hitter for the seventh time this season and second time post All-Star break, last doing so in the 4-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Aug. 4.

Nick Gonzales moves to second base and hits fourth and Jared Triolo comes in at third base and bats eighth, while shortstop Jacob Gonzalez moves up to sixth in the lineup, rounding out the Pirates infield.

Right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez bats fifth after hitting seventh the past two games and Rafael Flores Jr. comes in at catcher for Henry Davis and bats ninth.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Pirates on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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