As the 2024 baseball season concluded, expectations surrounding Cade Horton, a top prospect for the Chicago Cubs, have shifted considerably.
Initially, there were hopes that he would solidify his place on the major league roster by midseason.
However, the end of the season now sees a focus on ensuring he has a healthy offseason and a strong start at Triple-A Iowa come spring.
The unpredictability of baseball can be challenging, and Horton’s journey this year serves as a reminder.
The 23-year-old right-hander struggled following his promotion to Iowa in May, experiencing difficulties that ultimately led to him missing the final four months due to a subscapularis strain, an injury affecting one of the rotator cuff muscles in his shoulder.
Although he made initial progress in recovering, a setback forced him to cease all activities for the remainder of the season.
Reflecting on the year, it’s evident that 2024 will largely be remembered as a lost season for Horton.
While he may have gained valuable lessons and experiences off the field, the lack of playing time is a significant setback in his development.
Looking ahead, fans and the Cubs organization hope to avoid a repeat of these struggles in 2025.
Recent insights from Sahadev Sharma at The Athletic highlight the Cubs’ perspective on Horton’s progress. They believe that by the end of 2023, he had found a rhythm with his mechanics and was performing at a high level. However, the challenges he faced this season stemmed from reverting to old habits that impacted his performance. The Cubs aimed to help him enhance his movement on the mound, capitalizing on his athleticism. Fortunately, the organization is optimistic that his velocity will not pose a concern in the future.
Currently, Horton is rehabilitating at the Cubs’ facility in Arizona. Afterward, he will return home to begin his offseason training, with hopes of being fully prepared for spring training. The aim is for him to have a healthy and productive 2025 season.
While there’s optimism surrounding Horton’s recovery, lingering concerns about his shoulder injury cannot be dismissed.
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