The excitement surrounding the 2026 Chicago Cubs is palpable. With the addition of Alex Bregman bringing power to the lineup and Edward Cabrera bolstering the rotation, the Cubs are poised for a run at the division title after last year’s playoff appearance. Among their impressive roster, one name shines brightly: Cade Horton.

Horton’s rookie season was nothing short of spectacular. In 22 starts, he posted an 11-4 record with a 2.67 ERA and a 20.4% strikeout rate, coupled with a 6.9% walk rate.

Despite a fractured rib shortening his season, Horton still finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, just behind Atlanta’s Drake Baldwin. This sets the stage for Horton as one of the most anticipated pitching prospects the Cubs have seen in years.

The Cubs have historically excelled in developing hitters, but pitching has been a different story. Horton has the potential to change that narrative.

Drafted 7th overall in 2022, his upside goes beyond his impressive rookie numbers, particularly in strikeouts. In the minors, Horton boasted strikeout rates between 28% and 30%.

If he can translate that ability to the majors, especially by inducing more swings on pitches outside the zone, his strikeout numbers could climb significantly.

A key to Horton’s future success will be the continued evolution of his changeup. Once a secondary option, it has emerged as a standout pitch.

In a recent game against Cleveland, Horton recorded 10 strikeouts, with 11 of 15 changeups resulting in whiffs. This development hints at untapped potential in his arsenal.

While projections suggest Horton might face some regression in run prevention, with an ERA around 4.00 and a slightly improved strikeout rate, there’s reason to believe he can exceed those expectations. His fastball-sweeper combo is already effective against right-handers, and the changeup is a weapon against lefties. If Horton can maintain his spring training success with the changeup, he could elevate his performance to the upper echelons of starting pitchers.

Expecting big things from Horton in 2026 isn’t far-fetched. His debut season showcased his competitive spirit and high-caliber skills. If he remains healthy, there’s every reason to believe Horton will build on his rookie success and deliver an even stronger performance this year.