This Cubs Rookie Could Be Crucial Down Stretch
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The Chicago Cubs are beginning to get excellent contributions from rookies.
Between the post-All-Star break hot streak from rookie third baseman Matt Shaw to Saturday's excellent start from rookie right-hander Cade Horton, the rookies are producing.
Horton especially, could be a pivotal part of what Cubs fans and front office members hope will be a deep postseason run.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 26: Pitcher Cade Horton #22 and catcher Carson Kelly #15 of the Chicago Cubs fist bump at the conclusion of the third inning of the game against the Chicago White Sox...
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 26: Pitcher Cade Horton #22 and catcher Carson Kelly #15 of the Chicago Cubs fist bump at the conclusion of the third inning of the game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on July 26, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. MoreHorton was Chicago's top pitching prospect entering the season after an offseason of recovering from injuries.
He was promoted to make his MLB debut May 10 against the New York Mets and has been a mainstay in the rotation since then.
After 6 1/3 shutout innings and a win against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday, Horton is now 4-3 with a 3.67 ERA in his rookie campaign.
Horton has been especially good over his last seven outings, as four of those have been scoreless outings with 5 2/3 innings pitched in each one of them.
Four pitchers have had 4 scoreless starts of 5+ innings since June 1.
Cade Horton
Matthew Boyd
Tarik Skubal
Paul Skenes — Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) July 27, 2025
Horton had been struggling in road starts to the tune of a 6.35 ERA prior to Saturday's stellar outing. Saturday surely could've been a huge confidence boost and exactly what Horton needed to re-gain a little confidence.
The Cubs will need him to maintain that confidence, as contributions from rookies in the postseason can be one of the keys to a deep run.
Take the standout performance from Evan Carter two seasons ago. Carter burst onto the scene and had a .300 average with 10 extra-base hits and a .917 OPS during the Ranger's run to the World Series.
Nobody will be expecting Horton to turn into prime Jake Arrieta during the postseason, bit if he can give Chicago multiple starts of five or six innings, the Cubs will have to like their chances of winnings those games.
A postseason trio of Horton, Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga would be one of the best in all of baseball and could be the reason Chicago wins its first World Series since 2016.
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