5 potential Pittsburgh Pirates trade targets that could be the next Spencer Horwitz

Blaze Alexander

Blaze Alexander made his debut in 2024, playing a part-time role for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He only had 185 plate appearances over 61 games, but the production at the plate wasn’t anything to write home about. He slashed .247/.321/.343 with a .298 wOBA and an 89 wRC+. His 8.1% walk rate was about league average, but he struck out just over a quarter of the time with a 26.3% K%.

While Alexander still filled a similar infield utility role in 2025, his production at the plate took a step forward. In 266 plate appearances, Alexander owned a .230/.323/.383 line. He saw a significant uptick in power. His ISO came in under .100 last season, but now it is up to .152. Meanwhile, his exit velocity and barrel rate went from a meager 88.4 MPH and 3.4% in 2024 to 90.4 MPH and 12.8% in 2025. He maintained a similar 8.3% walk rate, but strikeouts became an issue for Alexander, with a 32.3% strikeout rate.

Alexander has seen time at second base, third base, shortstop, and even a handful of innings in the outfield. Shortstop is by far his worst position, with -6 DRS and -8 OAA while only logging 138 innings. He grades out as a significantly better defender at third and second. Alexander has +4 DRS and +3 OAA in 238.1 innings at the keystone, and +2 DRS and +1 OAA in 485.1 innings at the hot corner. Defensive metrics even like his outfield glovework, but he has less than 30 innings between left and center field.

Alexander is blocked at multiple infield positions in the desert. Shortstop and second base are occupied by MVP candidates Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte, respectively. Both had superb seasons this year, and arguably had the best seasons at their position of any NL player in 2025. The D-Backs also still have Jordan Lawlar, who can play both middle infield positions, along with third base. 

The Diamondbacks are also a team in need of pitching. Stalwart Zac Gallen is hitting free agency this fall, as is the recently traded Merrill Kelly (who they seemed to flirt with re-signing after dealing him to Texas). Both have over 950 IP with the D-Backs since the start of 2019. Ace Corbin Burnes will miss most of 2026 recovering from Tommy John surgery. They also have only one pitching prospect among their top ten, according to Baseball America.