By Scott Barancik, editor

Spencer Horwitz, a surging prospect with the Toronto Blue Jays franchise, is the latest minor-league player to be identified as Jewish.

The Jays got a bargain when they plucked Horwitz out of Radford University in the 24th round of the 2019 amateur draft. In just two seasons — 2020 was wiped out by the COVID-19 epidemic — the 6’0″ first baseman has defied all expectations.

2021 proved to be Horwitz’s breakout year. Playing for the Vancouver Canadians, Toronto’s High-A team, he hit .290 with 10 HRs, 62 RBIs, and a .401 on-base percentage. Highlights included a 28-game hitting streak — breaking a Northwest League record that had stood nearly 60 years — and a League-leading 70 walks against just 66 strikeouts.

For his efforts, Horwitz was named the Northwest League’s 2021 Top MLB Prospect and then sent off to the prestigious Arizona Fall League, where he finished #4 with a .375 batting average.

Now 24, the Maryland native is likely to begin the 2022 season with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A team with whom he finished 2021.

Please join us in welcoming Spencer.

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