Cubs are Reportedly Calling up Top Pitching Prospect Cade Horton

Horton will likely make his MLB debut on Saturday, which was slated to be Shota Imanaga's next start before he went on the injured list with a hamstring strain earlier this week. It's unclear if Horton will start Saturday's game againstMets' pitcher Tylor Megill, or if the Cubs will utilize an opener before giving the ball to Horton. 

It won't be an easy assignment in either case, as the New York Mets are in first place in their division and own an impressive 13-3 record at home. But using an opener could avoid Horton from facing guys like Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Pete Alonso in his first inning in the majors. 

Horton has clearly proven to the Cubs' front office that he is ready for the moment. The 23-year-old has dazzled in his first six starts for the Iowa Cubs, with a 1.24 ERA and 33 strikeouts while limiting hitters to a .129 batting average. 

Horton was the Cubs' first round pick in the 2022 draft and he has emerged as the organization's most valuable pitching prospect. The right-hander's primary deliveries are a mid-90s fastball and a wicked slider that generates most of his opponent's swings-and-misses. 

The main concern with Horton is his health since he only has 151.2 professional innings under his belt over the last three seasons. He also missed the majority of the 2024 season after suffering a shoulder strain. 

But the Cubs are going to see what Horton can do at the big-league level and it would be convenient if he established himself early. The Cubs need to fill Imanaga's rotation spot for about a month. The Japanese southpaw was diagnosed with a grade 1 hamstring strain, which has a typical recovery time of three weeks.