Is This Chicago Cubs Prospect Bucking For Another Promotion?

Last year's first-round pick, Cade Horton, has already moved up one run of the Chicago Cubs' organizational ladder this season.

Chicago Cubs prospect Cade Horton could be playing his way into a second call-up in the organization later this season.

Horton was named the Midwest League Pitcher of the Week for June 26-July 2 for his work at High Class-A South Bend.

Horton claimed his third win in four games during his start on June 29 against Beloit. He threw 5.2 innings, giving up one hit and three walks while striking out seven on just 78 pitches.

It was a good June for Horton at South Bend where he went 3-0 with a 0.92 ERA along with 29 strikeouts and six walks. He also trimmed his season ERA from 4.50 at the end of May to 3.15.

In May, Horton struggled with the jump from Class-A Myrtle Beach, where he gave up two earned runs in four starts. He gave up six earned runs in his first start for South Bend, and two earned runs in each of his next two starts, before trimming that down to one earned run in his last start of May.

But he’s adjusted nicely since then, which leaves open the question of whether the Cubs might promote him to Double-A Tennessee before the end of the season?

Horton is the Cubs’ No. 2 prospect per MLB.com, and while he’s considered a 2025 call-up, he’s also a seasoned college pitcher who is making a case to move faster through the organization.

The Cubs knew they were getting a polished college pitcher when they took Horton in the first round (No. 7 overall) in last year’s draft out of Oklahoma. With the Sooners, Horton had to redshirt his freshman year after tearing his UCL ligament, which required Tommy John surgery.

Horton helped lead the Sooners to the College World Series last season, when they reached the championship series and he earned All-Tournament honors. He had a 2.61 ERA in the Sooners’ postseason run and struck out a combined 24 hitters in CWS games against Notre Dame and Ole Miss.

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