Cubs' No. 2 Prospect Cade Horton Reportedly to Be Promoted for Mets Series

The Chicago Cubs are reportedly bringing up one of their best prospects from the minor leagues.

Per Tommy Birch of The Des Moines Register, pitcher Cade Horton is expected to join the Cubs for their series against the New York Mets on the road this weekend. Horton, 23, is the No. 2 player in Chicago's farm system, per MLB.com.

Horton was the seventh overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft out of Oklahoma, where he also played quarterback for the Sooners' football team and spent some time at third base.

He has started six games for Chicago's Triple-A affiliate this season, going 2-1 with a 1.24 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP. He's collected 33 strikeouts across 29 innings.

After being drafted, Horton quickly made his way to Triple-A by the 2024 season, but a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder sidelined him for much of the year and halted his progress. Now back on the mound, Horton has been outstanding, and he'll look to continue progressing in the majors.

Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter lists Horton as the No. 49 overall prospect.

The decision to call up Horton comes amid injury trouble to Chicago's rotation. Starter Shota Imanaga, who has a 2.82 ERA and 34 strikeouts through 44.2 innings, suffered a left hamstring strain and landed on the 15-day injured list earlier this week.

With their ace out for the time being, the Cubs will look to Horton to help them continue what has been a strong start to the season. Chicago, which has missed the postseason for four consecutive years, sits atop the NL Central at 22-16 and has the ninth-best record in the majors.