The difference one year can make is not lost on right-hander Cade Horton.
At this point last season, Horton had pitched in two games for the University of Oklahoma in his first outings since missing his freshman season because of Tommy John surgery. Those appearances were limited to an inning or less, and he didn’t make his first start until mid-April.
As Horton stood near the Chicago Cubs practice fields at their complex in Mesa, Ariz., during the final stretch before minor-league camp ended for the spring, even he was amazed at the path his career has taken.
“I mean, actually it is crazy,” Horton told the Tribune. “I’m blessed. The people around me that have helped me, it’s a huge thank you to them and all the teammates that have been there. It’s awesome.
Horton, 21, is beginning the season at Low-A Myrtle Beach. The 2022 first-round pick will make his professional debut Saturday. Horton, newly ranked by MLB.com as the No. 98 prospect in baseball, isn’t a big goal setter, preferring to keep his attention on the smaller aspects of the game.
“If you take care of the small things, then the big things will happen,” Horton said. “It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Just focusing on the controllables and the rest will take care of itself. … I just want to get out there and compete. I’m really focused on the recovery days. It’s going to be great being a full-time pitcher now and getting to focus on that.”
Tommy John surgery and his lost freshman season at Oklahoma limited Horton to 53⅔ innings before the Cubs drafted him. An impressive performance in the NCAA Tournament helped him skyrocket up draft projections. Surgery is never ideal, but Horton said the experience had a huge impact on learning how to be a better teammate and contribute when he couldn’t be on the field.
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“Obviously I’m not glad the injury happened, but I learned so much from the injury that it’s helped me take my game further,” Horton said. “It’s picking guys up (from the dugout) and taking care of my body. It’s helped me feel my body more and be more aware of it. Doing the little things in the training room.” ‘
Horton’s experience as a two-way player — he started 29 games in the infield, predominantly at third base last season — still aids him on the mound. It allows him to maintain an aggressive mindset to attack hitters because he knows how difficult it is to hit a well-executed pitch. He used the offseason to hone his four-pitch repertoire — fastball, slider, curveball and changeup — while also learning what he needs to do to make sure his body feels its best.
Horton’s fastball-slider combination was devastatingly effective in the postseason for Oklahoma and will continue to be a strength for the righty as he continues to refine his curveball and changeup.
“He’s an extremely diligent, hard worker,” vice president of player development Jared Banner told the Tribune. “It’s one thing to see his slider on TV last year during regionals and the College World Series and all that, but seeing it in person, it definitely jumps out at you.
“Right now, in this first full season, it’s just about getting acclimated to the professional game, going out and competing on a regular basis and then working on the fundamentals of his game.”
Horton knows his status as a top-five prospect in the Cubs system means his starts will garner attention. He isn’t worried about any scrutiny as his career progresses.
“It’s not really about me because I wouldn’t be in this position without all my teammates and coaches around me, so they’re the ones that honestly deserve the credit,” Horton said. “The people that have been around me are awesome, and I’d do anything for them and they’re what have helped propel me.”
