Well, the Chicago Cubs had the board break their way with the shocking third overall pick of Kumar Rocker to the Rangers, but the Cubs had a bigger surprise taking right-handed pitcher Cade Horton with the 7th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft.
Horton, 20, pitched at Oklahoma and was impressive during the College World Series.
Yet, fans and some in the baseball industry were shocked by the selection of Horton. He had Tommy John surgery and hasn't pitched many innings in college. His overall numbers do not look pretty at a glance.
The Cubs had the opportunity to draft highly ranked bats in Brooks Lee, Cam Collier, Kevin Parada or Zach Neto. Instead, for the second consecutive year the Cubs went with a college pitcher.
For the Cubs, you have to assume that they believe Horton's performance near the end of his 2022 season is the pitcher he will be rather than the numbers he put up during the regular season.
Again, Horton missed 2021 because of Tommy John surgery, so he was seeing his first action in a while to begin the 2022 season at Oklahoma. In the College World Series, Horton posted incredible spin rates on his fastball and slider.
You also have to imagine that the Cubs love Horton's potential now that he'll only focus on being a pitcher. Horton also played shortstop and third base at Oklahoma. Oh and he originally signed with Oklahoma as a two-sport athlete, baseball and quarterback for the Sooners' football team. So, Cubs fans, what do you think of Cade Horton with the 7th pick?
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