Guardians Flip Spencer Horwitz To Pirates For 3 Pitchers


Image credit: RHP Luis Ortiz (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Just hours after trading Andres Gimenez and Nick Sandlin to the Blue Jays for Spencer Horwitz and Nick Mitchell, the Guardians turned around and traded Horwitz to the Pirates. In return, the Guardians received a trio of pitchers in righthander Luis Ortiz and lefties Michael Kennedy and Josh Hartle.
The Guardians leaned into an area where they’ve seen substantial development wins in the past, acquiring three arms with potential upside. The Pirates, meanwhile, need to improve their lineup any way they can and Horwitz fits into that. He produced a 127 wRC+ across 97 games for the Blue Jays in 2024 and should slot in as the Pirates starting first baseman.
PIRATES RECEIVE
Spencer Horwitz, 1B/2B
Age: 27
The Blue Jays drafted Horwitz in the 24th round of the 2019 draft out of Radford. Over the last two years he has developed into one of the top young hitters in the Blue Jays system. A late-bloomer, Horwitz debuted in the majors at age 26. He hit .265/.357/.433 with 12 home runs over 97 games, good enough for a 127 wRC+. Horwitz saw a majority of his time at first base. He played second base as well, but his bottom-of-the-scale speed and below-average arm limit him there. He also played some corner outfield in the minors. Horwitz provides the Pirates some positional versatility and a lefthanded hitter with advanced plate skills.
GUARDIANS RECEIVE
Luis L. Ortiz, RHP
Age: 25
After starting the year in the Pirates’ bullpen, Ortiz returned to the rotation in July and went 4-4, 3.22 in his new role in 15 starts. While he’s capable of serving as a useful reliever, he’s shown he can be a solid back-of-the-rotation starter. He’s also quite early in his MLB career. He won’t reach arbitration until 2027 and he is under team control for five more seasons. Ortiz attacks hitters with a mid-90s four-seamer and sinker as well as a mid-80s slider and 90 mph cutter. He’s better against righthanders than lefties because of his arm slot and lack of a reliable changeup, but he isn’t helpless against lefties. He should fit in a swing or back-of-rotation role. If the Guardians prefer using him in the bullpen, he’s equipped to handle that role as well.
Michael Kennedy, LHP
Age: 20
A 2022 fourth-round pick out of Troy, N.Y. that the Pirates signed for $1 million, Kennedy made 17 starts between Low-A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro in 2024. He went 2-5, 3.66 ERA with 95 strikeouts over 84 innings. Kennedy nearly doubled his innings from his 2023 pro debut and the production was good. He mixes a four-seam fastball at 89-90 mph from a 5-foot-5 release with a pair of above-average secondaries in a 79-80 mph sweeper slider and a low-80s changeup with heavy tumble. Kennedy generated 19% or higher swinging strikes rates in 2024 on his slider and changeup. He’s a soft-tossing arm with interesting secondaries for the Guardians to build up, which is a demographic where the club has had past success. Kennedy was set to rank No. 24 in the Pirates system.
Josh Hartle, LHP
Age: 21
Hartle was a touted North Carolina prep pitcher who spurned pro interest and honored his commitment to Wake Forest. He spent three years with the Demon Deacons posting a 4.41 ERA in 46 starts. Hartle is a soft-throwing lefty that sits 91-92 mph with an unusual fastball shape that doesn’t move like a normal fastball. He also mixes a mid-80s slider and upper-80s changeup. His lower slot creates an unusual approach angle on his pitches that allow them to play above their raw power and movement. Hartle did somewhat underperform at Wake Forest, one of the best pitching development environments in baseball, and his early work with the Pirates pitching development centered around restoring more separation between his pitches. Perhaps the Guardians feel there’s more to unlock. Hartle was set to rank No. 23 in the Pirates system.