The Chicago Cubs haven’t exactly been a factory for homegrown pitching legends lately—unless you count the ones they shipped elsewhere to flourish. But every now and then, a kid shows up with enough guts to shake off the catcher, trust a pitch he hadn’t used all night, and leave a $765 million slugger looking like he borrowed someone else’s swing. The name is Cade Horton, and he is raising the bar.

Everyone starts a job to support and help their family in every way possible, and it’s no different for Horton. He made his debut against the New York Mets and had a strong showing on the mound for his first start. He even managed to get Juan Soto to swing and miss, striking him out. After this emotional game, he shared a special moment with his family.

A video posted by the Cubs Zone Twitter handle captured this moment. They captioned it, writing, “Almost forgot that this is the point.” A simple phrase, yet with deep meaning. In the video, Horton can be seen laughing and enjoying his debut performance with his family. It was a wholesome moment for the Hortons, and their big smiles before the camera say it all.

Horton finished the game with four innings and three earned runs. He also managed to strike out five batters, with the biggest being Soto. Horton faced him when there were two runners on base with a 2-2 count. He threw his first change-up of the night and managed to get him out. After the game, catcher Miguel Amaya said, “To be honest, it was a shake by him. He executed it the right way, he needed to execute it. It was a perfect change-up to put him out.”

This wasn’t the first adorable moment of the Hortons caught on camera. Not many know this, but Cubs rookie shared the news about his promotion to the majors through FaceTime with his mother. While sharing the story in an interview, she said, “We lost it. I was in a parking lot, screaming like a maniac.” 

That pitch wasn’t just a change-up—it was a changing of the guard. Horton didn’t just shake off his catcher; he shook off the nerves, the stakes, and the weight of Cubs pitching history. In four innings, he showed more conviction than some rotations do all season. If this is the rookie version, the league might want to start bracing for the director’s cut.

From chaos to control: How Cade Horton can stabilize the Cubs’ rotation

The Cubs’ rotation has lately resembled a group project gone wrong—everyone’s showing up, but no one’s getting the job done. In the middle of this pitching pandemonium, a fresh face with a flamethrower and composure to match has entered the chat. And that’s Horton. He’s not just another arm, but possibly the adult supervision this starting staff has been desperately lacking.

The Cubs’ pitching staff is wobbling under pressure. Their bullpen lacks consistency and control, leading to blown leads. Veteran Ryan Pressly’s ERA has ballooned to 7.62, revealing a sharp decline. Injuries, including starter Shota Imanaga’s absence, and short outings by starters have further overworked an already fragile relief corps.

Horton has become the team’s top pitching prospect and potential savior. His fastball hits 98 mph, backed by a lethal 70-grade slider. Before his call-up, he posted a stunning 1.24 ERA in Triple-A. Opponents hit just .129 off him, and he struck out 33 in 29 innings, flashing elite command and poise.

Horton’s MLB debut proved promising—four innings, five strikeouts, zero walks, and three runs. His ability to eat innings could relieve a gasping bullpen. He’s flexible enough to start or relieve, offering much-needed stability. With his tools and presence, Horton could become the long-term anchor the Cubs desperately need.

If Horton can keep missing bats and dodging drama, the Cubs might finally exhale. He’s not just filling a spot—he’s rewriting a messy script with sharp sliders and cleaner innings. Chicago doesn’t need a miracle, just fewer meltdowns. And right now, Cade Horton looks like the grown-up in a rotation full of excuses.