The Chicago Cubs are in need of an Ace like starting pitcher to lead their starting rotation, but could they have their future “Ace” already in top prospect Cade Horton?
The Chicago Cubs have been searching for an “Ace” like starting pitcher to anchor their starting rotation through the grind of a 162-game season, as well as being the go-to starter for game one of a critical playoff series all off season. So far, the Chicago Cubs swung and miss at trying to trade for Jesús Luzardo who ended up being dealt to their divisional rival the Philadelphia Phillies. I recently wrote of a trade proposal that would have the Chicago Cubs acquiring Minnesota Twins Ace Pablo López which still could be on the table; however, the Cubs may already have an “Ace” up their sleeve in number two prospect in the organization Cade Horton.
Cade Horton
The 23-year-old Horton was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the first round seventh overall of the 2022 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of Oklahoma. Cade Horton is currently ranked as the Chicago Cubs number three overall prospect for the organization, while ranking as the forty-second overall prospect on MLB top 100 prospects list. When looking at Hortons prospect grades one’s mind immediately goes to saying “woah this guy has “Ace” like potential”. Having a pitch mix of a fastball (60/80), curveball (50/80), slider (70/80), changeup (45/80) mix with both his fastball and sliders ranking as “elite” the evaluation of Horton one day being an “Ace” could hold water.
Horton spent his 2024 season splitting his time between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa where he overall made nine starts where he compiled a record of 2-1 with a 4.46 ERA, 40 strikeouts, in 34.1 innings pitched. Not exactly the kind of numbers you want to see out of one of your top prospects, but in Hortons case he dealt with some injuries last season. In a rehab start where Horton was working his way back from a right lat strain, he suffered a setback which was reported by Chicago Tribune’s Meghan Montemurro Horton ultimately missed the rest of the season.
Pathway to Being the Top Prospect
With current Cubs top prospect Matt Shaw slated to be called up in 2025 to compete and possibly have the starting third base job which President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer said:
“He can play second well, he can play third well,” Hoyer said of Shaw’s comfort defensively. “Right now, obviously, we’re going to give him a long look at third after we traded (Isaac) Paredes. Making room for young players is really important. He has to earn that job. I’m not going to gift him that job on a conference call in the middle of December, but certainly with what he’s done in the minor leagues since we’ve had him, he’s played really well.
“His arrow is really pointing up. I do think it’s important – just like we did last year with (Pete Crow-Armstrong) – you’ve got to give young players some runway and some ability to play.”
And with number two prospect Owen Caissie possibly being on the trade block Cade Hortons path to being the Cubs number one overall prospect is wide open. Yes, being name the entire organizations top prospect is all well and good, but that isn’t Hortons goal who MLB.com predicts will be making his Major League debut at some point in 2025.
What’s Instore for 2025?
As I said the Cubs main need left to fill this off season is adding pitching depth to both the starting rotation as well as the bullpen. The Cubs may still go out and make a trade for a high-end starting pitcher which they have indicated is still on the table, but if that were to not happen, the Cubs could turn to Horton who could not only be a cheaper option but provide tremendously high upside.
Horton has a path onto the big-league roster if all goes well for him out of the gate in Triple-A where he is expected to begin the season. The Cubs currently have a plethora of lefties clogging up their rotation and being that Horton is right-handed he already has a leg up on others to get the call. With injuries sadly always occurring and newly signed lefty Matthew Boyd being the one who last year was injured for most of the season, having Horton as a backup if Boyd or anyone else goes down is a nice insurance policy to have.
With Horton coming into the 2025 season healthy and fully healed from his injury from last season is a good sign for the Chicago Cubs to see. With big things coming down the road for Horton the Cubs need him to stay healthy and show he is capable of taking on a full workload as a Major League pitcher. If all goes well and according to plan Cubs fans could be seeing their new found “Ace” coming to the north side of Chicago.
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