Cubs' Cade Horton: Velocity slightly down from 2023
Rotowire
Horton averaged 93.4 mph (touched 94.9 mph) with his fastball in his first start for Triple-A Iowa on May 4 and averaged 93.9 mph (touched 95.5 mph) in his second start May 10 after sitting at 95-97 mph with his fastball and regularly touching 98 mph in 2023.
This doesn't necessarily mean Horton is dealing with anything physically, but it's worth noting that he's not working with the same caliber stuff as was advertised during the offseason. Horton had a 1.10 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and an 18:2 K:BB in 16.1 innings across four starts in a return assignment to Double-A Tennessee before getting promoted to Triple-A at the end of April. He has given up eight earned runs on seven hits, eight walks and two home runs while striking out 11 in seven innings through his first two starts at the highest level of the minors. Since Triple-A pitch velocities are public, it's worth keeping tabs on Horton's pitch velocities over his next few outings to see if things keep trending up. This is also Horton's first experience with the automated balls and strikes system at Triple-A, so perhaps that's partly to blame for his elevated walk rate.
Horton has been promoted from Double-A Tennessee to Triple-A Iowa, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register reports.
Horton threw only 16.1 frames across four starts with Tennessee but was dominant in those innings, posting a 1.10 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 18:2 K:BB. The top prospect is coming off a 2023 campaign which saw him collect a 2.65 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 117:27 K:BB over 88.1 innings. Horton is likely to push to debut for the Cubs in 2024.
Horton, who climbed through three minor-league levels in 2023, has an outside chance at making his MLB debut this season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
While Bastian notes that a 2025 MLB debut is probably more likely for Horton, the fact that he's already knocking on the door speaks loudly of his advanced skill set. The 22-year-old finished with a 2.65 ERA and 117 strikeouts across 88.1 innings last season across the three levels. Horton has the stuff to be an impact player as soon as he reaches the majors, and he could force the issue if he continues to dominate in the minors.
Horton has a 1.38 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 15 strikeouts in 13 innings through three starts for Double-A Tennessee.
Horton, the No. 7 overall pick in last year's draft, has logged four starts at Single-A, 11 starts at High-A and three starts at Double-A thus far in his first full pro season. The quality of his stuff and command is not in question, but it's nonetheless encouraging to see him not skip a beat after an Aug. 1 promotion to Double-A. He is on track to spend a good chunk of the 2024 season in the big-league rotation, health permitting.
Horton has a 3.89 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 28.7 K-BB% in nine starts (39.1 innings) for High-A South Bend.
The No. 7 overall pick in last year's draft, Horton made his first four pro starts at Single-A before quickly getting the bump to High-A in early May. With a slew of promotions and graduations, Horton has a case as one of the top five pitching prospects left in the minors. He has given up five or more earned runs in two of his nine starts at High-A, but he had a dominant seven-start run from May 17 through June 29, logging a 1.76 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 49 strikeouts in 30.2 innings. Given his age (turns 22 in August) and pedigree, Horton should soon get a promotion to Double-A Tennessee.
Horton will make his High-A debut Wednesday after logging a 1.26 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 14.1 innings across four starts for Single-A Myrtle Beach.
The No. 7 overall pick in last year's draft, Horton has one of the best sliders in the minors and was overmatching Single-A hitters in his pro debut. He could feasibly climb beyond High-A this season if he stays healthy, but injuries limited him to 53.2 innings at Oklahoma, so his workload will be monitored.
