Spencer Horwitz (18th)
As also one of our projections of Jays prospects that will be dealt at the trade deadline, Spencer Horwitz currently has the most-ready MLB bat in the system, and he has definitely put it on full display in recent times. In just the past week, Horwitz was the Triple-A Player of the Week in which he went 15-for-28 with six runs scored, three home runs, 10 RBI and two stolen bases. For the 2023 season, he is hitting .317 with an .893 OPS, with 45 runs scored, 21 doubles, seven home runs, 58 RBI, and seven stolen bases. In addition in his brief stint in the majors with the Jays, he went 2-for-8 with one run scored, one RBI and two walks, while showing good plate discipline.
With his position at the major league level being blocked by both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Brandon Belt, there appears to be no room for Horwitz at least in the coming year or two. So perhaps the ideal situation would be to utilize Horwitz while his value is at its highest now to address any trade deadline needs for the ballclub. In the “win-win” scenario, the Jays would get their player and Horwitz would finally get a starting job on a rebuilding team in the process.
Overall, the Jays may want to hold onto their prospects as much as they can, since they have spent so much time with their growth and development. But with the team’s mentality in win-now mode, it may be time they need to give up on a few of them to take them to the next level and beyond.