Cade Horton’s Drama-Filled Cubs Debut: Talent or Luck? Teammates Weigh In on Chicago’s Potential New Ace

Chicago, IL – May 12, 2025 – When Cade Horton took the mound for his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs, fans expected nerves, maybe a few mistakes, and hopeful glimpses of his promise. What they got instead was a rollercoaster performance full of intensity, unpredictability, and flashes of brilliance that has the baseball world asking: Is this rookie the real deal—or just riding a wave of adrenaline-fueled luck?

Horton’s long-awaited debut came in a high-stakes matchup against division rival Milwaukee Brewers, with playoff implications and a packed Wrigley Field crowd on edge. Over five innings, Horton gave up three earned runs, walked four, struck out eight, and escaped multiple jams with timely pitching—and a bit of good fortune.

The Cubs narrowly won the game 5–4, with Horton credited for the win. But while the box score tells part of the story, the atmosphere, reactions, and drama painted a much bigger picture.

A Debut Full of Fire and Flaws

Cade Horton, the Cubs’ No. 2 overall prospect and a former Oklahoma Sooner standout, had been building buzz in Triple-A Iowa all season. With a blazing fastball and a developing slider, many believed it was only a matter of time before he cracked the big-league rotation.

When veteran starter Kyle Hendricks went on the IL last week, Horton got the call.

From his very first pitch—clocked at 98 mph—Horton showed no signs of hesitation. But as the innings progressed, the young pitcher wrestled with command issues, occasionally missing the strike zone by wide margins. Still, when it mattered most, Horton delivered.

In the third inning, with the bases loaded and no outs, Horton struck out Christian Yelich, forced a pop-up, and got a groundout to escape unscathed. The crowd roared. Horton thumped his glove.

Teammates React: “He’s Got That Fight”

After the game, the Cubs clubhouse buzzed with praise and cautious optimism.

Dansby Swanson, Cubs shortstop, didn’t mince words: “The kid’s got that dog in him. You can’t teach that kind of grit—he got in trouble and pitched his way out. That says a lot.”

Veteran catcher Yan Gomes, who worked behind the plate with Horton, praised the rookie’s mental game. “He had every reason to fall apart tonight, but he didn’t. Sure, he missed some spots, but when he needed a strikeout, he reached back and found something.”

Others, like starter Justin Steele, pointed to Horton’s demeanor. “He didn’t let the pressure get to him. You’d think this was his tenth start, not his first.”

Still, not all comments were glowing. One anonymous veteran reportedly said, “He’s got a lot to work on. Talent’s there, but if he doesn’t get better control, the league will catch up to him real fast.”

Talent vs. Luck: What Does the Data Say?

Baseball analysts quickly pored over the numbers. Horton’s whiff rate was high, his fastball touched 99 mph multiple times, and his slider induced five swinging strikes. But he also threw 91 pitches in five innings and gave up several hard-hit balls that happened to find gloves.

MLB analyst Ken Rosenthal tweeted: “Cade Horton’s stuff is MLB-caliber today. The poise was impressive. But control issues raise flags—let’s see how he adjusts in his next start.”

The big question remains: Was Horton’s escape act a sign of future greatness or a one-night stand with baseball fate?

The Cubs’ Long-Term Plan

Manager Craig Counsell made it clear after the game that Horton is not a short-term experiment.

“He’s here for a reason. We believe in Cade’s potential, and we’re going to work through the ups and downs,” Counsell said. “Tonight showed us he belongs.”

Insiders believe the Cubs are grooming Horton for a permanent spot in the rotation, especially as the team looks toward building a new young pitching core alongside Steele and Jordan Wicks.

What’s Next for Horton?

Cade Horton is scheduled to make his second MLB start next week against the St. Louis Cardinals, another intense divisional rival. If his debut was any indication, the drama is far from over—but neither is the promise.

“I know I wasn’t perfect,” Horton said postgame. “But I learned a lot. I’ll be better next time.”