Cade Horton Bio
Cade Michael Horton, born on August 20, 2001, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. The Chicago Cubs selected him in the first round with the seventh overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft after he starred for the Oklahoma Sooners in college. A two-sport standout in high school, Horton joined the Cubs organization in 2022, climbed through the minor leagues, and reached the majors in 2025.
Horton is recognized as one of the top young arms in the Cubs system, with a résumé that includes a trip to the Men’s College World Series Finals and a fast rise through Triple-A. He made his MLB debut on May 10, 2025, against the New York Mets, earning his first career win in relief. He continues to build his career with the Chicago Cubs as a starting pitcher.
Cade Horton
Early Life and Background
Cade Michael Horton was born on August 20, 2001, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and was raised in Norman, Oklahoma, by his parents Mike and Cari. He grew up in a sports-minded household and followed his older brother, Cale, into baseball, while also developing a serious interest in American football. The mix of competition and a supportive family environment shaped his early athletic identity.
Horton attended Norman High School, where he played both baseball and football at a high level. He committed to play college baseball at the University of Oklahoma and also planned to walk on to the school’s football team. In his senior football season, he passed for 3,084 yards and 26 touchdowns with seven interceptions, and he added 1,149 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. On the baseball side, he was named the Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year after hitting .375 in five games before the 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Path to Baseball
Horton arrived at the University of Oklahoma in 2021, but he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow before his freshman season, which required Tommy John surgery and forced him to redshirt the year. He spent much of his recovery period learning to pitch without overtaxing the repaired arm, and he returned as a redshirt freshman splitting time between third base and relief pitching. The experience kept him on the field while he rebuilt his arm strength.
Eventually the Sooners moved Horton into their starting rotation, and he rewarded the staff’s confidence. He reached the 2022 Men’s College World Series with Oklahoma and started two games during the tournament. In the MCWS Finals against Ole Miss, he set a career high with 13 strikeouts over 7.1 innings, a performance that cemented his status as a frontline draft prospect.
Cade Horton Career
Draft and Minor Leagues (2022–2025)
The Chicago Cubs selected Horton in the first round with the seventh overall pick of the 2022 Major League Baseball draft and signed him for $4.45 million. He spent the next two-plus seasons working his way through the Cubs’ farm system, refining his pitch mix and building innings after his college surgery. By 2025, evaluators viewed him as the top pitching prospect in the organization.
Horton opened 2025 at Triple-A Iowa, where he quickly showed he was ready for a bigger test. In six starts, he went 2-1 with a 1.24 ERA, and the Cubs promoted him to the major leagues on May 10, 2025. The rapid climb from first-round pick to MLB debut in roughly three years marked a clear development win for the organization.
Chicago Cubs Era (2025–Present)
Horton made his MLB debut on May 10, 2025, against the New York Mets, pitching four innings in relief. He allowed three runs on four hits while striking out five batters, and he was credited with his first career win. The debut gave the Cubs another young starter to develop behind their established rotation.
During his rookie season, Horton has been used in a mix of relief and starting roles, and the team has continued to lean on his ability to miss bats. His power repertoire, built around a strong fastball and a swing-and-miss breaking ball, has translated against major-league hitters. The early returns suggest he has a chance to lock down a long-term spot in the Cubs rotation.
Notable Events and Milestones
Horton’s career has already produced several signature moments, including his 13-strikeout performance in the 2022 Men’s College World Series Finals against Ole Miss. He was also named the Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year in high school and went seventh overall in the 2022 MLB draft, a sign of how highly scouts regarded him coming out of college. His first MLB win on debut against the Mets in May 2025 added another milestone to that list.
Cade Horton Career Wins
Cade Horton’s competitive résumé spans high school, college, the minor leagues, and Major League Baseball. His win total reflects a steady progression from two-sport prep star in Norman, Oklahoma, to a first-round draft pick and a young major-league starter. The most notable single victory of his career so far came in his MLB debut against the New York Mets on May 10, 2025.
Minor League Highlights
At Triple-A Iowa in 2025, Horton posted a 2-1 record with a 1.24 ERA in six starts before his promotion. That stretch established him as the top pitching prospect in the Cubs system and earned him his first call-up. The numbers also showed that he was ready to handle a major-league lineup.
Other Wins & Performances
Horton also picked up key wins during his redshirt freshman season at Oklahoma, including strong starts during the Sooners’ 2022 Men’s College World Series run. His 13-strikeout outing against Ole Miss in the Finals ranks as one of the best individual postseason performances in Oklahoma baseball history.
Cade Horton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cade Horton is the middle of five children, and he grew up around sports in Norman, Oklahoma. His older brother, Cale, also played baseball and helped introduce him to the game. His parents, Mike and Cari, raised the family in a competitive environment that encouraged multi-sport participation.
Personal Life
Horton married Blaire Davis on December 4, 2024, in the Dominican Republic. The couple’s relationship has been a steady presence as he has moved through the Cubs organization. Beyond his immediate family, Horton remains closely connected to his parents and siblings, who continue to support his career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a breakthrough year for Cade Horton, beginning with a dominant run at Triple-A Iowa. In six starts, he went 2-1 with a 1.24 ERA, and the Cubs promoted him to the majors on May 10, 2025. His MLB debut against the New York Mets produced his first career win, and the team has continued to give him opportunities to develop at the highest level.
For the rest of 2025, Horton is expected to remain in the Cubs’ rotation or high-leverage relief mix, depending on team needs. The combination of his power stuff and his experience in big-game college settings, including the 2022 Men’s College World Series Finals, has prepared him for the grind of a long MLB season. His performance down the stretch will play a key role in shaping the Cubs’ long-term plans for him.
Looking ahead, Horton is positioned to compete for a stable spot in Chicago’s starting rotation in future seasons. If he continues to limit damage and miss bats at his current rate, he has a chance to become a long-term building block for the franchise. The 2025 season is essentially his audition for that role, and the early results have been encouraging.