38 articles
CHC • Pitcher • #22
15 days ago
Horton enters as the heavy favorite after emerging as one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers in the second half, posting a dazzling 1.03 ERA across 61 1/3 innings over 12 starts. Baldwin would be a worthy choice in most years after cementing himself as Atlanta’s catcher of both the present and future during an impressive full-season debut, slugging 19 homers across 124 games. Durbin’s inclusion comes as a mild surprise over unheralded Nationals outfielder Daylen Lile, who posted an .845 OPS with 35 extra-base hits over 91 contests. Nationals center fielder Dylan Crews and Dodgers starer-turned-postseason closer Roki Sasaki entered the year as preseason favorites, but both missed most of the campaign due to injury. The winner will be announced on Monday, November 10.
Source: MLB
CHC • Pitcher • #22
about 1 month ago
Good to know. Horton was trying to make it back from a rib fracture suffered during his Sept. 23 start. The Rookie of the Year candidate might have been a difference maker in the NLDS against the Brewers. He’s a certainty for the Cubs’ 2026 rotation, which also figures to include Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, Shota Imanaga (assuming that his option is picked up) and, eventually, Justin Steele.
Source: Jordan Basitian
CHC • Pitcher • #22
about 1 month ago
Horton got through yesterday’s session without pain in the area of his fractured rib, so now it’s just about getting him built back up. He hopes to pitch in the NLCS if the Cubs can advance.
Source: Maddie Lee
CHC • Pitcher • #22
about 1 month ago
Horton got through yesterday’s session without pain in the area of his fractured rib, so now it’s just about getting him built back up. He hopes to pitch in the NLCS if the Cubs can advance.
Source: Maddie Lee
CHC • Pitcher • #22
about 1 month ago
Horton is aiming to be ready for a potential NLCS matchup, if Chicago manages to rally against the division-rival Brewers. The 24-year-old rookie standout has been on the shelf since suffering a right rib fracture during his final regular-season start.
Source: Bruce Levine
CHC • Pitcher • #22
about 1 month ago
Horton would provide a substantial lift to Chicago’s rotation, if they managed to rally and advance past the division-rival Brewers into the NLCS. The 24-year-old rookie sensation suffered a right rib fracture during his final regular-season start and has been shut down ever since. It sounds like there’s a chance he’ll be able to contribute later this postseason, if the Cubs stay alive.
Source: Patrick Mooney
CHC • Pitcher • #22
about 2 months ago
It’s a stunning turn of events, as Horton will now miss the entire Wild Card round and won’t be eligible to return until the late stages of a potential Division Series matchup. The 24-year-old rookie sensation posted a dazzling 1.03 ERA across 61 1/3 innings over 12 second-half starts, and his absence leaves a massive hole in Chicago’s postseason rotation. A clearer return timeline should emerge in the coming days.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
about 2 months ago
Counsell told reporters Friday that they’re comfortable moving forward with Horton into the postseason after an MRI earlier this week didn’t reveal any structural damage. The 24-year-old rookie sensation has been diagnosed with rib tightness and is expected to be ready to pitch at some point next week when the playoffs get underway. He resumed throwing on Friday and should be cleared for a postseason start following this weekend’s throwing session.
Source: Jesse Rogers
CHC • Pitcher • #22
about 2 months ago
Counsell noted that Horton’s MRI did show some “areas of concern”, but nothing severe enough that it would lead to an extended absence. It sounds like the Cubs are optimistic about their prized rookie right-hander’s availability for the start of the postseason.
Source: Josh Frydman
CHC • Pitcher • #22
about 2 months ago
Counsell told reporters Horton has also been dealing with an illness the past few days after the rookie standout was lifted for precautionary reasons from Tuesday’s outing after just 29 pitches when his back started tightening up. The 24-year-old former top prospect, who has put together a phenomenal second half with a microscopic 1.03 ERA in 12 starts since the All-Star break, will undergo additional imaging to rule out any structural damage. The hope for the Cubs is that he’ll be cleared for the start of the postseason.
Source: 670 The Score
CHC • Pitcher • #22
about 2 months ago
Horton, who has been dealing with an illness recently, was lifted for precautionary reasons from Tuesday’s outing after just 29 pitches when his back started tightening up on him. The 24-year-old rookie sensation, who has put together a phenomenal second half, will undergo additional imaging to rule out any structural damage. The hope for the Cubs is that he’ll be cleared for the start of the postseason.
Source: 670 The Score
CHC • Pitcher • #22
about 2 months ago
Horton allowed one run before leaving with a five-run lead that quickly disappeared in his absence. It’d be quite the blow to the Cubs’ chances in October if Horton fails to recover quickly, but it sounds like he’s just day-to-day for now. Assuming he doesn’t pitch again during the regular season — and he probably wasn’t going to start Sunday regardless — he ends his rookie season 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA in 118 innings.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
2 months ago
Horton’s remarkable second half continued in this one as he outdueled Pirates ace Paul Skenes, limiting Pittsburgh’s offense to just four baserunners over five strong frames to pick up his 11th win of the season. The 24-year-old top pitching prospect has recorded a stellar 0.93 ERA across 58 1/3 innings over 11 starts since the All-Star break. He’ll square off against the division-rival Reds in a road tilt on Sunday to close out a two-start week.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
2 months ago
The 24-year-old right-hander scattered four hits on the evening and didn’t walk a batter while striking out two. The only blemish on his night came on an RBI single off the bat of Jurickson Profar in the third inning. Horton got only three whiffs on 87 pitches on the evening, posting an underwhelming CSW of 22 percent. He’s now 10-4 on the season with an impressive 2.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and an 89/32 K/BBB ratio over 110 innings through his first 21 appearances (20 starts) on the season. He’ll look to keep the good times rolling as squares off against the Pirates in Pittsburgh on Monday.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
3 months ago
Horton was as close to perfect as a pitcher could be here. He walked Matt Olson with one out in the first inning and retired every other hitter he faced over his five innings of work. It was a bit frustrating to see him pulled with just 75 pitches when in such a groove, but the Cubs are clearly trying to limit his workload and likely didn’t want to let him see Ronald Acuña Jr. and the top of the order for a third time. He hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any start since July 9th – the last time he threw at least 90 pitches – and has an incredible 0.77 ERA since the All-Star break. He’s scheduled for a rematch with the Braves next time out.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
3 months ago
Horton wasn’t great, but considering the park he pitched in and considering how much he’s due for regression — hard to post a 0.49 ERA after the All-Star break like he had coming into the game — it’s something fantasy managers will take. The 24-year-old rookie has nine wins in 2025 with an ERA of 2.92. Is this the Rookie of the Year favorite now? Enquiring minds want to know. He’ll have a chance to build his case Wednesday versus Atlanta.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
3 months ago
Barely derailed by a blister that caused him to leave his previous start, Horton turned in his seventh scoreless start in his last 10 tries. He’s 5-1 with an absurd 0.49 ERA in seven starts since the break, and he’s due to make his next start next week against the Rockies in Coors Field. That’s a bad ballpark, but there’s no sitting him right now.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
3 months ago
Horton is on track to take the ball on Saturday night in Los Angeles after making an early exit from Monday’s start against the Brewers with a right middle finger blister. The 24-year-old rookie right-hander will be monitored closely to ensure the issue doesn’t become a more serious concern, but it’s an encouraging sign that he’ll avoid a trip to the injured list.
Source: MLB.com
CHC • Pitcher • #22
3 months ago
Horton struck out three and was ultimately charged with only one run after being lifted from the opening contest of Monday’s doubleheader at Wrigley Field with two outs in the third inning after throwing just 61 pitches. It’s impossible to tell whether the 23-year-old former top prospect will require a trip to the injured list at this juncture, but fantasy managers should anticipate the Cubs proceeding with an abundance of caution. There should be an update on his status at some point in the coming days.
Source: Andy Martínez
CHC • Pitcher • #22
3 months ago
Horton wanted to pitch through it, but it was causing him control issues and really bothering him on his changeup. Horton exited down 1-0 with the bases loaded and two outs in the third.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
3 months ago
Horton was masterful yet again here. He retired 15 of the first 16 batters he faced and didn’t allow a hit until there was one out in the sixth inning. That hit was followed by a walk and Cubs’ manager Craig Counsell pulled Horton before he could face Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for a third time. Much to his chagrin, Andrew Kittredge allowed an RBI-double to Guerrero that snapped Horton’s 29 inning scoreless streak that began before the All-Star break. Nevertheless, Horton has now won his last four starts and displayed excellent command of his changeup here. That pitch has been the linchpin for him this season against left-handed batters and helped him find consistency over the past month. He’ll look to stay hot against the surging Brewers next time out.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
3 months ago
Horton allowed two hits, walked none and struck out six. His 16/7 K/BB ratio over 22 2/3 innings in these four starts is certainly nothing to write home about, but he’s allowed just 10 hits. Horton joins the Rays’ Drew Rasmussen as the only pitchers this year to have four straight scoreless outings of at least five innings pitched. Only Zac Gallen in 2023 and Yu Darvish in 2024 did it the previous two years. Since 2016, the lone pitcher to do it five times in a row was Gallen, who actually made six straight scoreless starts in 2022. Horton will probably be facing the Blue Jays when he tries to keep it going next week.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
4 months ago
The 23-year-old hurler scattered two hits and three walks on the afternoon while punching out three opposing hitters. The biggest threat against him came in the opening inning as Horton issued a pair of walks, but he rallied to get Adley Rutschman and Tyler O’Neill on fly balls to escape. He generated seven whiffs on 71 pitches on the day, posting a strong CSW of 34 percent. He’ll look to keep the good time rolling as he brings a 3.42 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 53/25 K/BB ratio (73 2/3 innings) into Wednesday’s matchup against the Reds.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
4 months ago
The game was scoreless until the top of the seventh, when the Cubs finally broke through with three runs. They added three more an inning later. It made a winner of Horton for the first time since June 3. He was 3-0 in five starts at that point, but he’d been 0-3 in seven starts since, even though he had three scoreless outings mixed in there. With a 1.52 ERA in four starts, he could be in the running for NL Rookie of the Month honors, though it’d help a lot if he had one more outing lined up. Alas, the Cubs are off next Thursday, so Horton won’t pitch again before Aug. 1 in the series against the Orioles.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
4 months ago
The Cubs were up 1-0 when he exited, only to go on to lose 6-1. Horton allowed just two hits, both of which were singles. He settled for four strikeouts, but he had 15 whiffs on 86 pitches and 38 swings. Six of those came on the 13 sweepers he threw. It’s the third time in six starts that Horton has gone without allowing a run. He’s not showing much consistency yet, but there have been enough good outings to produce a respectable 4.04 ERA. He’ll be a fine play in mixed leagues against the White Sox next weekend.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
4 months ago
The lack of useful options in Horton’s repertoire has come back to bite him a bit during his last few starts. Here, he got caught struggling to spot his changeups against left-handed batters. That’s the only pitch he usually has for them besides his fastball and a smattering of curveballs. So, he got caught in a few too many long at-bats which drove up his pitch count. Horton wound up hanging a 1-2 sweeper in the heart of the plate to Matt Wallner which he crushed for a home run. Still, he managed to force an impressive 19 swings-and-misses and at least three with four different pitches. The stuff is there, Horton just needs more refinement. That should come with time.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
5 months ago
Horton punched out five opposing hitters on the night while allowing a pair of free passes. The only real threat against him came in the fifth inning as the Guardians put runners on the corners with one out, but Bo Naylor was then caught trying to steal second base before Horton retired Brayan Rocchio on a ground ball to end the threat. The 23-year-old hurler got 11 swings and misses on 90 pitches on the night — eight of those on his changeup — while posting a solid CSW of 31 percent. He’ll look to replicate this fine effort as he brings a 4.15 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 38/16 K/BB ratio (52 innings) into Wednesday’s tilt against the Twins in Minnesota.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
5 months ago
Yikes. The Astros absolutely teed off on Horton. Yainer Diaz and Cam Smith each hit loud three-run home runs off him, which made this game get ugly quickly. Each blast came on the first pitch of their respective at-bats and were pulled deep into the left field stands. Diaz yanked a sweeper that didn’t sweep enough and Cam Smith turned on an up-and-in fastball. Neither pitch was in a bad spot, which is almost more worrisome considering how badly they were crushed. This game was a good reminder that Horton’s tight, mostly two-pitch repertoire can leave him susceptible to games like this. He’ll look to get back on track next time out against the Guardians at home.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
5 months ago
Horton gave up a run in the second inning on a walk, double, and a base hit. Seattle brought two more runs in to score in the third before Horton was chased with two outs in the fourth after an error allowed a run to score and left two runners on base. The 23-year-old right-hander has posted a respectable 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and a 31/10 K/BB ratio across 41 innings. He lines up for a start against the Astros in Houston on Friday.
CHC • Pitcher • #22
5 months ago
Horton outlasted Paul Skenes by two-thirds of an inning before exiting a scoreless game. He has been helped by a really easy schedule to date, but the stuff is very good and his control has been better than expected. He has a 3.41 ERA and a 29/8 K/BB over 36 1/3 innings, and he’s due to face the Mariners next.