Cade Horton Shines Bright as Cubs’ Rookie Sensation
The Chicago Cubs may have stumbled upon a gem in Cade Horton, a rookie right-handed pitcher who is quietly establishing himself as one of the most effective arms in Major League Baseball. Currently leading the Cubs in earned run average (ERA), Horton’s performance has the potential to place him among the league’s elite, though he has yet to qualify due to limited innings pitched.
Horton has thrown 103.2 innings this season, a career high for the 24-year-old, and the Cubs are exercising caution with his workload. As the team sits at an impressive 80-60 with just 32 games left in the regular season, they find themselves six games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central but comfortably positioned with a five-game margin in the wild card race. Horton’s contributions will be crucial as the team aims for postseason contention.
Statistics that Speak Volumes
With a season ERA of 2.78 over 103.2 innings and 19 starts, Horton’s numbers are impressive. Yet, it’s since the All-Star break that he has truly turned heads. His recent outing against the Atlanta Braves—where he delivered five hitless innings—served as a launching pad for high praise from MLB broadcaster and former All-Star first baseman Carlos Peña, who boldly declared Horton to be the best pitcher in the league at present.
Statistically, Horton has indeed been exceptional, boasting a minuscule 0.77 ERA since the All-Star break. This remarkable figure not only positions him at the top among all MLB pitchers during this stretch but also marks the lowest post-All-Star break ERA for a Cubs pitcher since the legendary Jake Arrieta achieved a 0.75 ERA in 2015. In fact, no pitcher has recorded a lower ERA after the All-Star break since 1936.
Impressive Second Half Performance
Horton’s second-half performance is nothing short of extraordinary:
Innings Pitched: 47
Strikeouts: 44
ERA: 0.77
WHIP: 0.81
The only other Cubs starting pitcher since 1920 to allow four runs or fewer across nine starts is none other than Arrieta, underscoring the significance of Horton’s achievements. As the Cubs gear up for the final stretch of the season, all eyes will be on this rookie sensation, who is poised to make an indelible mark on the franchise and the league as a whole.
