Cade Horton

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Cade Michael Horton

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Biographical Information[edit]

Pitcher Cade Horton was drafted by the Chicago Cubs with the 7th overall pick of the 2022 amateur draft, out of the University of Oklahoma. He was a two-way player in college, going 5-2, 4.86 as a pitcher, and batting .235 in 54 games as a third baseman. The Cubs were only interested in him as a pitcher, however, after he had helped lead the Sooners to the 2022 College World Series with his pitching, including notching 13 strikeouts in the finale against the University of Mississippi. It was his only college season, as he had undergone Tommy John surgery before the 2021 season. In fact, his playing the infield was a way for his manager to limit his innings as he was building his strength back.

His first professional season in 2023 saw him play with three different teams, starting with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League, and then the South Bend Cubs of the Midwest League, and finally the Tennessee Smokies of the Southern League. His combined record was 4-4, 2.65 in 21 starts but just 88 1/3 innings. He was named an organizational All-Star after the season. In 2024, he made 4 starts with Tennessee and another 5 with the Iowa Cubs of the International League. However, he went on the injured list at the end of May with a right lat strain, and was never able to return, finishing at 2-1, 4.46 in 9 starts and 34 1/3 innings.

He started the 2025 season with Iowa, going 2-1, 1.24 in 6 starts. He was called up to Chicago on May 10th and made his major league debut that day against the New York Mets, taking over for opener Brad Keller after one inning. He pitched until the end of the 5th inning, and while he gave up 3 runs on 4 hits, he also struck out five opponents without walking anyone and received credit for the Cubs' 6-5 win. He made a great start on August 13th, when he limited the Toronto Blue Jays to one hit over 5 2/3 innings while striking out eight in a 4-1 win. The win improved his record on the season to 7-3. However, he went on the injured list on September 27th due to a rib fracture and he missed the remainder of the season and the postseason. He finished the year at 11-4, 2.67 in 23 games and 118 innings, with 97 strikeouts. After the season, he was named to the 2025 MLB All-Rookie Team and finished second to Drake Baldwin in the voting for the 2025 National League Most Valuable Player Award.

He started the second game of the 2026 season for the Cubs, on March 28th against the Washington Nationals. He pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing 2 runs, to earn credit for a 10-2 win. Unfortunately for him and the Cubs, he made just one other start that season, on April 3rd against the Cleveland Guardians. He was removed after just one inning and was placed on the injured list with a right forearm strain. On April 7th, the Cubs announced that he would need to undergo elbow surgery and that his season was over as a result.

Notable Achievements[edit]

Further Reading[edit]

  • David Adler: "Horton's stuff -- and guts -- on display in winning MLB debut", mlb.com, May 11, 2025. [1]
  • Jordan Bastian: "Cubs select fast riser Horton with No. 7 pick", mlb.com, July 17, 2025. [2]
  • Jordan Bastian: "Horton making strong case for Rookie of the Year", mlb.com, September 1, 2025. [3]
  • Matt Betts: "Horton K's 8 while allowing 1 hit as stellar rookie year continues", mlb.com, August 13, 2025. [4]

Related Sites[edit]

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