Height
6'1"
Weight
211 lbs
Age
24
College
Oklahoma
Draft
2022, Rd 1, #7
Experience
1 yrs
Bats/Throws
R/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsA
| Year | Team | GP | ERA | W-L | K | WHIP | IP | SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 24 | 2.6782842 | 12-4 | 101 | 1.0697051 | 0.0 | 0 |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
AAV
$780K/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
Cade Horton's rookie deal earns an A+ CVI despite the concerning injury developments that have derailed what looked like a promising sophomore campaign. At just $780K for the 2024 season, the Cubs are getting elite value on their former first-round pick (7th overall in 2022), especially given his A-level performance grade before the forearm issues surfaced. The 24-year-old starter was tracking as a budding ace according to The Athletic's coverage, making his pre-arbitration salary an absolute steal compared to what established starting pitching costs on the open market. However, the forearm discomfort that landed him on the IL represents a significant red flag for any young pitcher's development trajectory, particularly given the Cubs' well-documented struggles with keeping promising arms healthy. While the financial commitment remains minimal on a one-year rookie scale contract, the real cost could be measured in lost development time and the potential for more serious elbow problems down the road. The Cubs front office secured excellent short-term value, but Horton's injury concerns have transformed what should be a celebration of cost-controlled talent into another anxious wait for medical updates.
Performance Analysis
Cade Horton, the Cubs' promising rookie starter, entered his first professional season with significant expectations after being selected in the first round of the 2023 draft out of Oklahoma. The 24-year-old right-hander has shown flashes of his elite potential when healthy, earning an A grade for his performance quality in limited action. However, Horton's rookie campaign has been defined more by what we haven't seen than what we have, as durability concerns have severely restricted his game total to an undefined number of appearances. For a starting pitcher position that demands consistent availability and the ability to eat innings over a grueling 162-game schedule, Horton's inability to establish himself as a reliable presence in the rotation raises questions about his immediate trajectory. His raw talent remains undeniable, featuring a plus fastball and sharp breaking ball that project as front-of-rotation weapons. The Cubs will be closely monitoring Horton's health and workload management as they look to unlock his considerable upside while building the foundation for a dependable major league starter. His development timeline may require patience, but the early returns suggest Chicago has a legitimate future ace if he can stay on the mound consistently.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 4/3 | @ CLE | L 1-4 | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - |
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