Brian Horwitz

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #29 prospect in 2008
  Scouts never will rave about Horwitz, but all he does is spray hits wherever he plays. He won batting titles in his first two pro seasons and didn't slow down once he landed in Triple-A last year, hitting .326 after a midseason promotion. Every manager for whom he has played has become his biggest fan. Horwitz has a great two-strike approach, loves the opposite field and doesn't strike out despite a swing that can get a bit long and choppy. He has little power to speak of and is better suited defensively for left field, so he doesn't fit the profile of a starting big leaguer. His arm is decent and his speed is below-average, so basically all he provides is a high batting average. But it's hard to find a more dedicated worker than Horwitz, who made the most of his invitation to big league camp last spring. He usually arrived before 7 a.m. for early hitting, even beating the coaches to the cage. He'll probably return to Triple-A this year.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #30 prospect in 2007
  Horwitz was batting .324 when the Giants promoted him from high Class A to Double-A in June, spoiling any chance for him to win his third batting title in three pro seasons. But he wasn't complaining, and some in the organization believed that he should have been challenged that way to start the season after hitting .347 in short-season ball in 2004 and .349 in low Class A in 2005. Like many nondrafted free agents, Horwitz must continuarlly prove himself and he continues to do so, hitting at every level with his inside-out swing. He uses every inch between the chalk lines, keeps a consistent approach and has excelled with runners on base. He runs well enough to keep his bat moving up the system, and while he's not a polished left fielder, his arm grades a bit above average. Every manager who has had Horwitz on his team raves about him. He would project a little better if he could play another position. He played some first base last year, but he doesn't have the power to fit the profile there. He got a brief look at Triple-A in 2006 but might have to earn his way back there.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #27 prospect in 2006
  Horwitz isn't overly physical, hit just two home runs last season while playing a power position (right field), signed as a nondrafted free agent and lacks a plus tool. What he can do is hit, which he showed by winning the low Class A South Atlantic League batting title, then following it up with an MVP performance in the Cal League championship series. It was his second straight batting crown, as Horwitz topped the short-season Northwest League in his pro debut. Horwitz showed he could hit in college, batting .347 as a junior for California in 2003, but he didn't sign as a 26th-round pick of the Athletics after the season. Instead, he returned for his senior year and struggled, hitting just .288 with 14 extra-base hits. Horwitz has done nothing but hit since turning pro. He stays inside the ball well, covers the whole plate and has a knack for making contact, though his approach doesn't lend itself to power. His instincts stand out at the plate, on the basepaths and in right field, where's he's a solid-average defender with an average, accurate arm. Horwitz joined John Bowker and Jon Armitage as Giants outfielders who worked out as first basemen in instructional league. He'll start 2006 in high Class A and will keep rising as long as he hits.