Pressure Mounts on Cubs’ Cade Horton to Keep Up Stellar Performance

The Chicago Cubs have placed a significant amount of trust in their young star, Cade Horton, and for good reason. The 2022 MLB Draft saw the Cubs make Horton their seventh overall pick, and after impressing at the University of Oklahoma, expectations for the right-handed pitcher were high. After a couple of years developing in the minor leagues, Horton was ready to showcase his talent at the major league level.

He didn’t just meet expectations — he shattered them. In his debut season in 2025, Horton quickly became one of the Cubs’ most valuable assets on the mound. Over the course of 22 starts, the 22-year-old compiled a stunning 11-4 record with a 2.67 ERA and struck out 97 batters in 118 innings. His performance was not only eye-popping but also put him firmly in the conversation for the National League Rookie of the Year award. However, despite his impressive statistics, the coveted honor went to Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin, who outshone the competition in his own right.

Despite missing out on the Rookie of the Year honor, Horton’s meteoric rise caught the attention of MLB insiders and Cubs fans alike. His performance on the mound was a major factor in the Cubs’ successful season, but as the team looks to build on their achievements in 2026, the pressure on Horton is only going to increase.

The Cubs’ Updated Pitching Rotation: Horton’s Role

Heading into the 2026 MLB season, the Cubs have made a major move to bolster their starting rotation. In a trade with the Miami Marlins, they acquired right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera, a promising arm that will join the ranks alongside Horton, Matthew Boyd, and Japanese import Shota Imanaga. This new-look rotation has the potential to be one of the best in the league if all players can stay healthy and perform at their best.

Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter has already penciled Horton in as the Cubs’ No. 2 starter for the upcoming season. This is a major responsibility for the young pitcher, and with it comes an immense amount of pressure. The Cubs are counting on Horton to be a key figure in their push for a postseason spot, and given the strides he made in his first season, it’s clear they are placing their trust in him.

Reuter, in his analysis, dubbed Horton as the team’s most significant “x-factor” when it comes to the pitching staff. The Cubs have solid options in their rotation, but Horton’s ability to stay healthy and continue his impressive performance could be the difference between a good season and a great one. If he can replicate the kind of numbers he put up last season, Horton could very well find himself in the conversation for the prestigious Cy Young Award.

The Impact of Horton’s Injury and the Cubs’ Playoff Hopes

One of the most significant storylines surrounding Horton’s 2025 season was the injury that cut his year short. After an excellent second half, where he posted a remarkable 1.03 ERA in 61.1 innings across 12 starts, Horton suffered a right rib fracture in late September. The injury forced him to miss the remainder of the regular season and, unfortunately, kept him sidelined during the Cubs’ postseason push.

Reuter posed an intriguing question: How might the Cubs’ playoff run have been different if Horton had been healthy and able to serve as the No. 1 starter? There’s no doubt that Horton’s absence was a major blow to the team, and his potential return to full health in 2026 could be a game-changer for the Cubs.

With the Cubs making a solid investment in their pitching staff, including the addition of Cabrera and the expected contributions from Boyd and Imanaga, the success of their rotation will hinge largely on Horton’s performance. The Cubs need their young star to stay healthy, build on his impressive rookie campaign, and lead their rotation into the next phase of their rebuild.

What’s Next for Cade Horton?

Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Cade Horton will undoubtedly be under the spotlight. His remarkable debut year was just a glimpse of his potential, and if he can stay healthy and continue to improve, he could become one of the top pitchers in the league. The Cubs’ chances of success in the postseason are closely tied to the performance of their rotation, and Horton’s development will play a huge role in that equation.

While the Cubs have made moves to enhance their pitching staff, they know that Horton is the key to their long-term success. He has the talent, the drive, and the potential to become a cornerstone of the Cubs’ pitching staff for years to come. But to get there, he will need to continue his upward trajectory and prove that his impressive rookie season was no fluke.

In 2026, expect to see Cade Horton at the forefront of the Cubs’ pitching efforts. If he stays healthy, maintains his focus, and builds on the lessons he learned during his rookie season, there’s no limit to what he can achieve. Whether it’s a Cy Young Award or helping the Cubs secure a deep playoff run, the sky is the limit for the young ace. Fans should be excited, as Horton is poised to make a lasting impact on the Cubs’ future, and 2026 could be the year he cements his place among the game’s elite pitchers.

Could Cade Horton Be the Next MLB Star?

The 2026 MLB season promises to be a defining year for Cade Horton. As the Cubs’ pitching staff continues to evolve, Horton has a chance to become one of the league’s top stars. He has the tools to dominate, and his debut season showed that he can handle the pressure of pitching at the highest level.

But for Horton, the real test will be whether he can handle the expectations that come with being one of the Cubs’ top pitchers. With new faces joining the rotation and an improving team, the pressure on Horton to continue his success is immense. But if anyone can handle it, it’s the young pitcher who already proved that he’s more than capable of taking on big challenges.

As the Cubs prepare for another season, all eyes will be on Cade Horton. Will he continue to rise, or will the pressure be too much for the young ace? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure — the 2026 season will be a pivotal year for one of baseball’s brightest young stars.

Stay tuned as Cade Horton embarks on his second year in the big leagues, with high hopes and even higher expectations for what lies ahead. The Cubs are counting on him, and fans everywhere are eager to see what the future holds for this promising young pitcher.

The Cubs’ future could very well rest on the shoulders of Cade Horton, and with the 2026 season fast approaching, the pressure is on for him to deliver once again.