The Chicago Cubs won their Saturday afternoon game against the New York Mets 6-5. A prominent storyline heading into the nationally televised game was the anticipated debut of right-handed pitcher Cade Horton. Horton, 23, was selected seventh overall by the team in the 2022 MLB Draft out of Oklahoma, and with the recent plague of injuries to the starting rotation, the front office decided to bring up Horton, paving the way for Horton to make his debut.
Horton did not make the start for the Chicago Cubs but came in for the second inning after Brad Keller worked a clean first against the New York Mets. Horton made a solid first impression by striking out the first hitter he faced and working two scoreless innings. However, in his third inning of work, Horton got into trouble and allowed a three-run homer that made it a 4-3 ball game. The newcomer managed one more scoreless frame before calling it a debut performance.
Cade Horton Debuts for Chicago Cubs
Cade Horton made his highly anticipated debut for the Chicago Cubs Saturday night in their 6-5 win over the New York Mets. Horton, the team’s 2022 first-round pick out of Oklahoma, is the team’s second-highest ranked prospect in the farm system and 46th in all of baseball. With the recent spring of injuries and delayed rehabs, a spot opened up for Horton on the major league pitching staff. After impressing through the early part of the year in AAA, the front office decided it was time.
Manager Craig Counsell decided it was time on Saturday night in the second inning. After Keller pitched a scoreless first inning, Horton got the chance to take the mound in the big leagues for the very first time. He made an instant mark on the game by striking out Brandon Nimmo for his first career strikeout. Horton scattered baserunners in two of his other three innings, but his rookie mistake came in the fourth inning.
Horton has been touted for his 95 MPH+ fastball and runaway slider, both of which were on display in his debut Saturday. He got into trouble when he fell behind the batter after not locating his fastball better early in counts, and it came up to bite Horton. He allowed a pair of singles to Pete Alonso and Mark Vientos, who moved up to put a pair of runners in scoring position on a wild pitch. Then Brett Baty lifted a breaking ball up and out to right field, giving the New York left-hander a three-run home run and cutting the Chicago Cubs lead to 4-3.
First Impressions
I was very impressed with Horton’s debut Saturday afternoon. He exhibited within the first couple of pitches just why he has been so highly touted in the Chicago Cubs farm system since being selected in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft. His mid-to-upper 90’s fastball and his dazzling slider were on display early, and Horton had solid control. It was when Horton couldn’t use his plus-stuff to get ahead of hitters that he was forced to make tough pitches in bad counts and ultimately gave up the fourth-inning blast.
I like that he went to an occasional change-up, something that could make a huge difference for him as a third option. As the Chicago Cubs look for a reliable option in their starting rotation, having that third weapon could separate Horton from Ben Brown, Luke Little, or other candidates who only offer two main pitches.
I’m not sure if Horton will be here for the long-term but that could just be me being jaded from the Matt Shaw experience earlier in the year, but I am hoping that the Chicago Cubs number two overall prospect fairs better than the first and is around on the big league roster helping the Cubs for the rest of the year.
