Former Fisher Cats Spencer Horwitz and Samad Taylor called up to Majors

Horwitz hit .297 in 70 games last year, Taylor hit 16 homers with 30 steals in 2021

June 16, 2023

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Two former members of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Spencer Horwitz and Samad Taylor, were recalled Friday by the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals, respectively. Both will have an opportunity to make their Major League debuts. Horwitz, 25, played in 74 games for the Fisher

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Two former members of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Spencer Horwitz and Samad Taylor, were recalled Friday by the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals, respectively. Both will have an opportunity to make their Major League debuts.

Horwitz, 25, played in 74 games for the Fisher Cats over the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In 70 Double-A games last year, he slashed .297/.413/.517 with 10 home runs, 39 RBIs, and 30 extra-base hits. Horwitz was named the Eastern League Player of the Week on June 13 and earned a promotion to Triple-A Buffalo on July 5.

Horwitz was added to the 40-man roster this offseason along with current Fisher Cats infielder Orelvis Martinez. In 340 career minor league games, he has posted a .291 batting average with 30 home runs and 203 RBIs.

The Timonium, Md., native was selected by the Blue Jays in the 24th round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Radford University. Horwitz is currently the No. 18 prospect in the organization, according to MLB Pipeline.

Taylor, 24, appeared in 87 games for the Fisher Cats in 2021. He slashed .294/.385/.503 with 16 home runs, 52 RBIs, 34 extra-base hits, and 30 stolen bases. Taylor was named a MiLB.com Blue Jays Organization All-Star following the season. In 532 career minor league games, Taylor has a .262 average with 54 home runs, 269 RBIs, and 170 stolen bases.

Last year on August 2, Taylor was traded to the Royals along with former Fisher Cats pitcher Max Castillo for infielder Whit Merrifield. Taylor was added to Kansas City’s 40-man roster in November, and he hit .304 with 34 stolen bases in 62 games with Triple-A Omaha to begin this season.

The Corona, Calif., native was originally selected by Cleveland in the 10th round of the MLB Draft out of Corona High School. Taylor was part of a 2017 deadline deal with Toronto for right-handed pitcher Joe Smith. He is currently the No. 19 prospect in the Royals organization, according to MLB Pipeline.

If Horwitz and Taylor make their debuts, they will be the 152nd and 153rd players to make their Major League debuts after playing for the Fisher Cats. They will be the first former Fisher Cats to debut in 2023.

The Fisher Cats continue a six-game home series against the Akron RubberDucks Friday at 7:05 p.m. and play regular-season home games at Delta Dental Stadium through Sunday, September 17. Season ticket memberships, mini-plans, and single-game tickets are available at NHFisherCats.com, via email at [email protected], by phone at (603) 641-2005, and in-person at the Fisher Cats box office on 1 Line Drive in Manchester.