3 surprising Blue Jays that will make the 2024 Opening Day roster, and 2 that won’t

Spencer Horwitz

For promising prospect Spencer Horwitz, he put himself on the map with a huge breakout season last year with the Jays’ Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons. In 107 games, he amassed a stellar .337 batting average, .945 OPS, along with 61 runs scored, 30 doubles, 10 home runs, 72 RBI, 78 walks and just 72 strikeouts in 392 at-bats. In doing so, he was named the Bisons’ MVP at the end of the minor league season.

Horwitz also held his own in the limited played time he had when he was called up to the majors by the Jays in 2023. He hit .256 with 5 runs scored, a pair of doubles, a home run and 7 RBI in just 15 games of action. As a result, at age 26, he appeared primed for a more major role with the club heading into 2024. However, Horwitz has had a disappointing spring thus far, managing only 4 hits in 32 at-bats for a dismal .125 average and a .419 OPS. Nevertheless, he has continued to show some great plate discipline though, with 6 walks to go along with 9 strikeouts in the 13 games he has played so far.

On top of his less-than-stellar showing in training camp, Horwitz has Lukes currently outperforming him for the potential fourth outfielder role, and both Votto and Vogelbach in the backup designated hitter/first baseman role. As a result, Horwitz looks to begin the 2024 season once again in the minors despite having a bat that is roaring to go any time now. On the good side, if he can get his hitting back in order in due time, he should be among one of the first call-ups this year when the Jays need an offensive bat to add to their lineup.