CHICAGO — The Windy City may soon feel the breeze of a fresh arm blowing in from Iowa. With their rotation in disarray, the Chicago Cubs are eyeing top prospect Cade Horton as their potential pitching savior — and the buzz is deafening.
The Cubs’ early 2025 success has been tested by a string of injuries and inconsistencies within their starting rotation. Justin Steele, once a Cy Young hopeful, is now out for the season with elbow surgery. Shōta Imanaga, who had been rock solid, is nursing recurring leg cramps that have hampered his availability. With these setbacks, the team is in urgent need of a spark — and Horton might just be it.
Why Horton? Why Now?
Horton has been lights-out in Triple-A. The 22-year-old flamethrower owns a jaw-dropping 1.17 ERA through five starts with the Iowa Cubs. He’s held opposing hitters to a .163 average, struck out batters at a dominant clip, and allowed just three walks all season. In short: he’s forcing the Cubs’ hand.
“His command, velocity, and poise — it’s all there,” a scout told Marquee Sports Network. “He’s pitching like someone who knows the call is coming.”
A Rotation in Crisis
Beyond the injury bug, Chicago’s rotation has lacked depth. Veterans like Kyle Hendricks have shown flashes but struggled with consistency. Chris Flexen has been serviceable, but not someone you build a playoff rotation around. If the Cubs want to stay atop the NL Central — and make a legitimate postseason run — they need more than patchwork. They need a weapon.
Enter Horton.
Manager Craig Counsell Stays Coy… For Now
“We’re keeping an eye on Cade, no doubt,” Counsell said earlier this week. “He’s doing everything we’ve asked — and more. We want to make sure he’s truly ready, both physically and mentally.”
Still, insiders suggest a call-up could come within the next two weeks, especially if Imanaga misses more time. Horton is on an innings limit this season due to his shoulder injury in 2024, but the team may opt to get value from those innings now, while games matter most.
Fan Frenzy and the Future
Social media is ablaze with Cubs fans calling for #HortonTime, eager to witness what many consider the franchise’s most electric pitching prospect since Mark Prior. Marquee Sports Network has already begun hyping Horton’s starts in Iowa, signaling the organization sees the writing on the wall.
Bottom Line? The Cubs Need a Hero — and Horton Might Be Him
With their grip on the NL Central tightening and October aspirations in full view, the Cubs can’t afford to wait much longer. Cade Horton has proven he’s more than a prospect. He’s a difference-maker — and perhaps the X-factor Chicago needs to weather the storm and surge ahead.
