DES MOINES, IA — On May 10, former Iowa Cubs standout Cade Horton made his Major League against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Horton, who was selected seventh overall in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft from the University of Oklahoma, made 11 starts with the Iowa Cubs between 2024 and 2025 before making his debut. Horton is rated the No. 2 prospect in the Cubs organization and No. 35 in all of baseball.
Horton pitched 4.0 innings on Saturday and surrendered three runs on four hits with five strikeouts and earned the win against a Mets team that has spent much of the season leading the National League East division. It marked the first time he has come out of the bullpen in his professional career as Brad Keller tossed 1.0 inning to serve as the opener.
According to the Cubs, Horton became the 10th pitcher in franchise history since 1901 to record a win in his Major League debut, the last being accomplished by Shota Imanaga on April 1, 2024, vs. Colorado. In addition, he became the 11th Cub to not allow a walk over at least 4.0 innings in their Major League debut. Also last accomplished by Imanaga on April 1, 2024.
Horton made just five starts with Iowa during the 2024 campaign and went 1-1 with a 7.50 ERA (15 ER in 18.0 IP) with 22 strikeouts before he missed the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury. In 2025, Horton began the year with Iowa and made six starts, going 2-1 with a 1.24 ERA (4 ER in 29.0 IP) and 33 strikeouts and 13 walks. At the time of his call-up, the Oklahoma native led the International League in ERA (min. 20 IP), and his 10.24 K/9 was 10th best. Horton struck out 31% of batters he faced in Triple-A this season, which was sixth-best in the International League.
