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What to Expect from Cubs Pitcher Cade Horton

Originally posted on New Baseball Media
By Chris Studley | Last updated May 9, 2025 10:56 AM ET

The Des Moines Register reported on May 9 that Cade Horton is on his way to New York, indicating he’ll join the Cubs for his MLB debut. Horton will make his first MLB start nearly three years after the Cubs made him a first-round pick. And while he’s dealt with his share of injuries, Horton established himself as an elite prospect before his promotion.

A Look at Horton

Cubs pitching prospect Cade Horton was a well-known prospect in his high school and college days. Horton opted not to go pro out of high school and instead went to Oklahoma. However, his freshman year was wiped out thanks to Tommy John surgery.

Horton didn’t get back on the mound until March 2022 but rose up the board after a terrific run in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, highlighted by double-digit strikeout outings against Notre Dame and Ole Miss. The Cubs took Horton seventh overall in the 2022 MLB Draft.

The 23-year-old rolled through A-ball in 2023, ending the season in Double-A and with 117 strikeouts over 88.1 IP. A shoulder strain slowed Horton and only made nine starts in 2024. He began 2025 with Iowa (AAA) and put up impressive numbers, with a 1.24 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 29 innings.

Opposing teams had a hard time squaring up Horton down in Iowa. Out of the 61 recorded batted balls down with the I-Cubs, only three were considered barrels. Horton only conceded one home run before his promotion.

Horton can gas it up to 98 MPH with either his four-seamer or two-seamer but doesn’t sit there. He’ll often be in the 94-96 MPH range. His four-seamer, on paper, has an interesting profile, as it has some cut to it. The two-seamer, meanwhile, is more of a running fastball.

Cade Horton Pitch Movement 2025 Via New Baseball Media

The beauty pitch in Horton’s arsenal is a low-to-mid-80s slider with depth and breaking action down and away. It’s a pitch with significant separation velocity-wise from his heat. Thus, making it a powerful weapon that can get on hitters sitting on fastballs. Horton’s slider posted a 39.3% Whiff% in Iowa this season.

Additionally, Horton will seldom break out a changeup, along with a low-80s curveball.

Despite his incredible ceiling, Horton is still an arm with not much significant pitching experience behind him. The 23-year-old has thrown barely over 200 innings (53.2 IP at OU, 151.2 IP between 2023-25) and just recently threw six innings in a game for the first time since 2022.

Chicago heavily limited his innings between 2023-24, mainly having him work in four to five-inning starts.

Analysis

It felt like a poorly-kept secret, even though the Cubs stated the team had options earlier this week when Shota Imanaga went on the injured list. Horton started in Iowa the same day Imanaga got hurt, making it a seamless fit on paper.

However, the Cubs will need to put Horton on the 40-man roster before he makes his MLB debut.

The Cubs have received strong contributions from Colin Rea since he’s replaced Justin Steele in the rotation. And unless another injury arises or one of their arms falters between now and Imanaga’s return, it could be a short stint for Horton in the Majors.

Horton, though, has a significant opportunity to impress. The righty boasts premium stuff and is easily the most notable impact arm in their system.

Fantasy Impact

I had Horton as one of the most notable prospects (as of May 2025) who could provide a fantasy impact a few days ago. It’s been very difficult for opposing hitters to square Horton up, indicated by the one home run and .129 opponents’ average down in Iowa.

He may not be a big swing-and-miss arm but in Chicago with a terrific offense ahead of him, Horton’s a mixed-league candidate, regardless of format or league size.

This article first appeared on New Baseball Media and was syndicated with permission.

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