Cade Horton Bio
Cade Michael Horton is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). Horton played college baseball for the Oklahoma Sooners and was selected by the Cubs in the first round with the seventh overall selection in the 2022 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Cade Michael Horton was born on August 20, 2001, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and raised in Norman, Oklahoma. He was brought up by his parents, Mike and Cari Horton. Following in the footsteps of his older brother Cale, Cade developed an interest in baseball from a young age, but he also played American football during his high school years. Horton attended Norman High School, where he excelled in both baseball and football. He committed to play college baseball at the University of Oklahoma while also planning to join the school’s football team as a walk-on. In his senior football season, he showcased his athletic prowess by passing for 3,084 yards and 26 touchdowns, along with rushing for 1,149 yards and 15 touchdowns. His outstanding performance in baseball earned him the title of Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year after he batted .375 in five games before the 2020 season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Path to Baseball
Cade Horton faced a significant challenge early in his baseball career when he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow prior to his freshman season at Oklahoma, necessitating Tommy John surgery and leading to a redshirt year. After recovering, he began his redshirt freshman season playing third base and occasionally pitching in relief. As he regained strength, he transitioned to the Sooners’ starting rotation. Horton made a notable impact during the 2022 Men’s College World Series, where he started two games and achieved a career-high 13 strikeouts in 7.1 innings during the finals against Ole Miss.
Cade Horton Career
Early Career (2022–2025)
Cade Horton was selected in the first round of the 2022 Major League Baseball draft by the Chicago Cubs, being the seventh overall pick. He signed with the team for a substantial contract worth $4.45 million. Horton began his professional career at Triple-A Iowa, where he quickly established himself as the top pitching prospect on the team. In his first season, he posted an impressive 2-1 record with a 1.24 earned run average (ERA) over six starts.
Breakthrough (2025)
On May 10, 2025, Cade Horton was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut that same day against the New York Mets, where he pitched four innings in relief. In this game, he allowed three runs on four hits while striking out five batters, earning his first career win. This marked a significant milestone in his burgeoning career as a professional baseball player.
Notable Works and Milestones
Cade Horton has quickly made a name for himself in Major League Baseball, particularly with his debut performance for the Chicago Cubs. His journey from a promising high school athlete to a first-round draft pick exemplifies his dedication and talent in the sport.
Cade Horton Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Cade Horton has yet to receive any formal award nominations, as he is still in the early stages of his professional baseball journey.
Cade Horton Awards Won
As of now, Cade Horton has not won any major awards, but his promising career trajectory suggests that he may achieve significant recognition in the future.
Cade Horton Family
Cade Horton is the middle child in a family of five siblings. He has a close relationship with his parents, Mike and Cari, who have supported his athletic endeavors throughout his life.
Personal Life
Cade Horton married Blaire Davis on December 4, 2024, in a ceremony held in the Dominican Republic. The couple currently does not have any children. His personal life remains relatively private as he focuses on his burgeoning baseball career.