Where Spencer Horwitz's season would've ranked among the 2024 Pirates

The Pirates' lineup last year missed a consistent first baseman for the duration of the season. When Connor Joe was hot, Rowdy Tellez was not and vice versa. Both of those men are now free agents, and the Pirates have found their replacement for the position with the acquisition of Spencer Horwitz.

Initially, it looks like a solid addition to the lineup, and Horwitz is astonishingly already projected to be the Pirates' leader in wRC+ in 2025. These FanGraphs predictions are based on his excellent rookie season with Toronto in 2024. The numbers he put up would have served Pittsburgh's lineup well, potentially even making him the team's top hitter. Let's take a look at where Horwitz would have ranked in various stats on last year's Pirates.

Where would Spencer Horwitz's solid 2024 season have ranked amongst other Pirates?

To start off, Horwitz played in just 97 games, but would have still led the Pirates in wRC+, as his total reached 127. This was six points higher than the Pirates' leader, Joey Bart, who finished with a 121 wRC+. Additionally, he would have been first in strikeout percentage at 18.4%. Joshua Palacios had a lower rate in 23 games, but because of that significant difference in sample size, Horwitz would lead.

His walk rate would have also ranked second on the team amongst full-timers at 11%, behind Andrew McCutchen at 11.3%. Horwitz's OPS would have been third behind Bryan Reynolds and Bart at .790. His batting average would have also been tied for third on the team, behind Nick Gonzales and Reynolds, and tied with Bart.

Some other notable numbers are his home run count of 12, which would have ranked sixth on the team, actually behind Tellez by one. The significant difference between Horwitz and Tellez, though, was in terms of fWAR. Horwitz was valued at 1.9, while Tellez posted a -0.5 mark. Horwitz also would have been tied for fourth in doubles at 19.

Statistically, Horwitz would have made a big impact to the Pirates in 2024. Fortunately, he gets his hitting coach in Matt Hague back in Pittsburgh, who he had success with in Toronto across multiple levels. Horwitz's bat staying productive would be crucial for the Pirates in 2025, and if he reach similar statistical peaks, then the Pirates will have a big offensive piece that they have been missing next season.