Spencer Horwitz emerging as one of the most underrated bats

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Pirates' Spencer Horwitz emerging as one of the most underrated bats in MLB

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated May 30, 2026 7:45 PM ET

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Spencer Horwitz's bat has been vastly overlooked, making him one of the most underrated players in the game.

The 28-year-old has more walks than strikeouts with an OPS of .848. Cody Bellinger's OPS is comparable at .856.

Horwitz is batting .292 with seven home runs and 26 RBI. In his last seven games with the Pirates, he has hit three home runs, along with four RBI, five walks and 10 hits.

His most recent home run came in the Pirates' 10-9 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. He hit it in the first inning to right field for his seventh of the season. Horwitz also recorded two runs, two hits and an RBI.

The Pirates acquired Horwitz in 2024 through a trade with the Cleveland Guardians. Horwitz had two eventful seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays (2023-24). He hit .264 with 97 hits, 13 home runs, 47 RBI and 51 runs scored across 112 games.

But he was then traded to the Guardians in a deal that landed the Blue Jays All-Star Andrés Giménez. The same day the Guardians acquired him, they flipped him to the Pirates.

MLB hitters with more Walks than K’s and at least an .850 OPS:

Xavier Edwards
Cody Bellinger
Spencer Horwitz ‍☠️

Horwitz is becoming one of the game’s most underrated bats! pic.twitter.com/DEFonNLXed
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) May 30, 2026

Spencer Horwitz's bat is an underrated weapon for the Pirates

Since joining the Pirates he has hit .278 with 148 hits, 18 home runs, 77 RBI and 78 runs across 162 games. He has found his home and has delivered a reliable presence that consistently sparks run-scoring opportunities as a "pure hitter."

When it comes to his underrated bat, it can be recognized through his contact-first approach and high OBP of .394.

What has made him stand out is his dominance with squaring up pitches, which has made him a valuable asset to the Pirates. He owns a squared-up rate of 30%, which is in the 83rd percentile.

Also, his ability to provide reliable contact while holding a more than respectable walk (14.6%), strikeout (12.1%), whiff (13.9%) and chase rate (24.8%) also demonstrate his solid plate discipline.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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