The last time a Chicago Cubs pitcher won National League Rookie of the Year was in 1998, when Kerry Wood took home the award. Now, nearly 30 years later, right-hander Cade Horton is trying to snap the drought for the Cubs.
On Monday night, Horton was officially nominated as one of the three finalists for 2025 NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award alongside Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin and Milwaukee Brewers infielder Caleb Durbin.
Horton pitched in 23 games for the Cubs this year, including 22 starts. His MLB debut was a four-inning appearance after the team used an opener against the New York Mets on May 10. Horton was exceptional down the stretch, posting a 1.03 ERA in his last 12 starts, following the All-Star break.
The 2022 first round pick out of Oklahoma ended his rookie season with a 2.67 ERA in 118 innings. He had a 1.08 WHIP, struck out 97, walked 33 and allowed a total of 10 home runs.
Meanwhile, Baldwin posted a 125 wRC+ with a .274/.341/.469 slash line in 446 plate appearances with the Braves. The catcher clubbed 19 home runs and drove in 80 runs, so he'll definitely present the biggest threat to Horton's chances of taking home the Rookie of the Year Award.
As for Durbin, the rookie slashed .256/.334/.387, with a 105 wRC+ in 506 plate appearances. He hit 11 home runs and stole 18 bases with the Brewers.
Since 1998, when Wood won the award with the Cubs, eight other pitchers have been named the winner in the National League. The last Cubs player to win NL Rookie of the Year was Kris Bryant in 2015.
Cade Horton Wins Sporting News ROY
The Chicago Cubs had the unfortunate luck of not having right-handed pitcher Cade Horton available in the postseason after the rookie starter suffered a rib fracture caused by a severe cough while he was dealing with an illness. Still, you can't take away from his regular season success and on Thursday Horton was honored for his awesome debut year as the 24-year-old was named 2025 National League Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News.
Horton made his MLB debut on May 10, against the New York Mets and remained with the Cubs for the remainder of the season. Eventually, Horton wasn't only the best starting pitcher on the team, his second-half performance led all pitchers in baseball. If it wasn't for the late-season injury, Horton would have started Game 1 of the postseason for the Cubs.
The Cubs' pitcher won the Sporting News NL Rookie of the Year award, which is voted by 320 players in the major leagues.
Via The Sporting News.
The Chicago Cubs' rotation took an early hit when Justin Steele went down with a season-ending elbow injury, but rookie starter Cade Horton stepped in and stepped up after joining the unit in May.
The former first-round pick out of Oklahoma posted a 2.67 ERA across 22 starts and one relief appearance, allowing 10 home runs in 118 innings and posting a 1.09 WHIP.
Horton only improved as the season went on. He flipped a switch in July, pitching to a stellar 1.03 ERA over his final 12 starts and allowing more than one earned run only once over that span. While not a heavy swing-and-miss pitcher, Horton mastered the art of soft contact and gave the Cubs another reliable rotation arm as they pursued a postseason berth.
While an injury kept Horton off the mound in October, the right-hander's excellent regular season makes him the Cubs' first Sporting News Rookie of the Year since Kris Bryant in 2015.
The Baseball Writers' Association of America will announce the official 2025 rookie of the year awards for each League in November. If Horton finishes in the top-two for that award, then he'll be credited with a full year of service time for his 2025 season, which would get him to free agency one year sooner.
While the Cubs were competing in the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers, Horton was teasing a return to the mound if the Cubs advanced. He said he was feeling pain-free after throwing a bullpen session at Wrigley Field. He should be good to go once spring training kicks off in February in 2026.
Horton proved his worth as a rookie and there's no doubt that he'll play a big part in the future success of the Cubs. This Sporting News award should be the first of many awards to come for Horton.
