After stealing a game back from the New York Mets on Monday night, the Chicago Cubs claimed the top spot in the National League Central Division. Jameson Taillon pitched lights out, and Christopher Morel played hero with a ninth-inning home run. This is the first division lead for the Cubs in 2024.
The injuries the Cubs sustained to begin their season should hinder their results. However, they continue to defy the odds and win ballgames. Many role-players have stepped up in the time of need to keep the ship afloat as big names like Justin Steele, Seiya Suzuki, and Cody Bellinger remain out. Although in first place, we have yet to see this Cubs team take the field at full strength.
Another thing keeping the Cubs moving right along is their depth of talent in the organization. Top talents Ben Brown, Alexander Canario, and Pete-Crow Armstrong are all on the major-league roster, contributing after starting the year in the minors. They are not the only ones so far, and they will not be the last by any means.
A pitcher in the Cubs organization has been rifling through the minor leagues ever since he was drafted. Today, the organization made a move that shows how much they believe in him and all but guarantees we will see him in Chicago sooner rather than later.
Cubs Promote Top Prospect Cade Horton To AAA Iowa
The Cubs announced on Tuesday that top pitching prospect Cade Horton is being promoted from AA Tennessee to AAA Iowa. The Cubs selected Horton in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2022 draft out of the University of Oklahoma. MLB.com expects the young right-hander to make his major league debut at some point during the 2024 season.
In 2023, Horton started 21 games in low-A Myrtle Beach, high-A South Bend, and AA Tennessee. He posted a 2.65 earned run average through 88.1 innings pitched with 117 strikeouts. In 2024 with Tennessee, he started four games with an ERA of 1.10 and 18 strikeouts. His last start was the longest of his season, going five innings and striking out six.
The Cubs will continue to get healthy as Justin Steele is slated to return within the next couple of weeks. After that, four of the five rotations spots feel solidified. The fifth is open for business between Jordan Wicks (currently also injured), Ben Brown, and potentially others. With Horton moving up quickly and seeing so much success, it is not unreasonable to believe he will find his way into that conversation sometime this summer.
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