BRADENTON, Fla. — Where Spencer Horwitz is still trying to figure out where he fits in with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he’s looking forward to playing a prominent role for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic.
Not that there is any more certainty over which position he’ll play.
Horwitz, who is Jewish, is excited about representing Israel in the WBC again, despite one of the most demanding draws. Israel is in Pool D, which includes the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
“It’s highly competitive. The atmosphere is unbelievable,” said Horwitz, who played in the 2023 WBC when Israel went 1-3 in pool play with a win over Nicaragua. “There’s not many Jews in baseball, that’s for sure. It’s like a brotherhood that you don’t really talk about it. It’s just kind of there. The times we’re in right now are crazy. I’m proud to be where I come from.”
The roster includes Washington Nationals first baseman Matt Mervis and San Francisco Giants outfielder Harrison Bader, as well as a number of minor leaguers. So, Horwitz was told to be prepared to play first base and second base.
Those are two spots he could play for the Pirates, whose offseason moves made it more complicated. When they traded for two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe and signed All-Star first baseman/designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn, Horwitz expected to split time at both positions and potentially serve as an occasional DH.
The signing of three-time All-Star Marcell Ozuna made it less likely that Horwitz would see time at DH, although the ability of O’Hearn to play right field could open up more playing time at first base.
Not that Horwitz is complaining.
“For me, it’s put the best players on the field,” Horwitz said. “People get mad, especially when they’re bringing in good players but that’s the front office’s job, to put the best players on the field. Whether that’s with me or without me, I hope it’s with me. I’m going to do my best to be in there. That’s what they’re going to roll out there.”
After being acquired from Cleveland via Toronto, Horwitz was expected to start at first base last season but missed all of spring training and the first two months following surgery on his right wrist. Upon returning, he pressed to make up for lost time and struggled, batting .232 with a .608 OPS, two home runs and 16 RBIs in 46 games.
“Spence is always working extremely hard,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “I think last year, there were some mechanical things going on but nothing so egregious that it was an overhaul in the middle of the season. I think it was getting traded, being hurt, putting pressure on himself to come out and try to be that guy who was involved in a big trade and step up. There were tweaks, but it was more him settling into being a Pirate and not putting so much pressure on himself.”
Horwitz was one of the Pirates’ best hitters in the second half, when he produced a .305/.396/.520 slash line with 16 doubles, nine home runs and 35 RBIs over 62 games. The left-handed hitter was especially effective against right-handed pitching last year, with an .813 OPS and 25 of his 28 doubles, 10 of his 11 homers and 46 of his 51 RBIs.
“I left an impression on myself,” Horwitz said of his second half. “That was a confidence boost. I had a slow start last year, but I’ve had success in the big leagues now for two seasons. Hopefully, I can keep it rolling.”
Horwitz is hoping to hit better than his .186 average against lefties last season, and is even open to playing a new position if that helps him get on the field. He’s willing to play right field or third base and even serve as the emergency catcher, if necessary.
“Sure, I’ll try it. I’ll try anything,” Horwitz said of third base. “I did it in a few minor league spring training games but that’s it. I think it’d be pretty different. I think I could do it. Why not? You’re only going to get better with practice. If that’s what they want me to do, I’ll try my best at it. … We’ll see. Who knows? I’m open-minded about playing outfield, playing third, playing shortstop, catching. I’ll do anything.
“I’m still fighting to protect my job and fighting to win. I think we all have that mentality of ‘go out there and compete,’ not just with each other but also with the other team to try and win. That’s only going to make us better.”