Swanson discusses Horton's Major League Baseball debut
Cade Horton's Vibrant MLB Debut Shines Brighter Than New York City Lights
Hotshot rookie pitcher Horton takes the mound, leaving the Mets reeling
The New York Mets were no match for the surging Chicago Cubs on Saturday, especially with their latest addition, Cade Horton, making his major league debut. This fresh-faced phenom lived up to the hype, displaying a dominating performance that even left the Cubs' seasoned vet Dansby Swanson feeling gobsmacked.
In typical Swanson fashion, he had a joke ready after the game—but this time not because of his own solo home run, oh no. Instead, he took a moment to savor the standout performance of his teammate, Horton.
"A.J. Pierzynski told me to pull off something cool today, and by Jove, I did!" Swanson chuckled to Ken Rosenthal in a post-game interview. "I told him I'd give him a hard time about it."
And with good reason—Horton's performance was nothing short of remarkable.
A Rookie Pitcher's Blockbuster Debut
The 23-year-old Horton, the Cubs' No. 2 prospect and the No. 46 overall, was brought up to the big leagues following Shota Imanaga's trip to the injured list. He took the mound in the second inning, immediately silencing the vocal Mets crowd with a resounding 96 mph heater to strike out Brandon Nimmo for his first career punchout.
Over four innings, Horton allowed just three runs on four hits. He showcased an array of pitches, collecting whiffs on a curveball, slider, changeup, and fastball. Despite a brief hiccup in the fourth—a hanging slider that Brett Baty sent soaring for a three-run homer—Horton's initial appearance on the big stage was nothing short of remarkable.
"Tonight, Cade was special," Swanson shared, full of excitement. "For a young guy to step in and compete like that—you can really see the talent."
Horton's Debut: A Team Effort Win Against the Mets
Horton wasn't the only one turning heads on Saturday. Swanson's home run marked his first since his wife, U.S. soccer star Mallory Swanson, announced their impending parenthood. His timely hit helped guide Horton through a rollercoaster 6-5 win over the Mets at Citi Field.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell leaned on his bullpen to secure the victory after Horton exited, with Drew Pomeranz, Daniel Palencia, Julian Merryweather, and Porter Hodge combining to fend off the Mets' late-game rally. Hodge closed out the ninth, quelling a leadoff walk with a game-ending groundout from Juan Soto.
Offensively, the Cubs continued to receive stellar contributions from Pete Crow-Armstrong, who led off in Ian Happ's absence. Crow-Armstrong singled, swiped his 13th base of the season, and scored the game's first run. He also added a breathtaking running catch to rob Soto in the first inning, a play that would leave fans buzzing long after the final out.
Looking Ahead: Cubs Prepare for Series Finale
With a win on Saturday, the Cubs, now 23-17, are primed to carry their momentum into the series finale. Horton's electric debut and a reinvigorated Swanson have the clubhouse vibes high, and the young pitcher might just have earned himself more than a spot start.
"I've dreamt about this my whole life," Horton smiled postgame. "I'm just grateful to be out here with these guys, and I hope this is just the beginning."
Enrichment Data
Pitch Performance Details:
- Fastball Speed: Up to 96.2 mph
- Slider Speed: 84 mph
- Curveball Speed: 85 mph
- Changeup Speed: 86 mph
Notable Strikeout Victims:
- Brandon Nimmo
- Brett Baty
- Luisangel Acuña
- Tyrone Taylor
- Juan Soto
Strikeout Breakdown:
- Curveball: 1
- Slider: 2
- Changeup: 1
- Fastball: 1
Brief Pitch Performance Insight:Horton's pitch repertoire showcased a diverse array of offerings, including a 96.2 mph fastball, 84 mph slider, 85 mph curveball, and an 86 mph changeup. He nabbed strikeouts with a combination of these pitches, demonstrating his mastery over the art of pitching. Despite a three-run homer allowed in the fourth inning, Horton's overall performance was strong, with a balance of solid execution and impressive strikeout ability. This bodes well for his future in the major leagues. By showcasing tenacity and poise, he not only proved himself worthy of the Cubs roster but also ignited a spark of excitement within the Chicago fanbase.
- Cade Horton, the promising rookie pitcher, brought a dominating performance to the Cubs' MLB debut, leaving the Mets reeling.
- With swirling anticipation, Horton entered the game in the second inning, showcasing an array of pitches that included a 96 mph heater capable of silencing vocal Mets fans.
- Over four impressive innings, the 23-year-old Horton struggled a little with three runs on four hits but still managed to collect whiffs on a curveball, slider, changeup, and fastball.
- After displaying a remarkable pitching performance, Horton's future with the Cubs seems brighter than ever. He shared his enthusiasm, stating, "I've dreamt about this my whole life, and I hope this is just the beginning."
- As Cade Horton continues to develop in the majors, he has sparked excitement among Chicago fans, the team, and possibly even his fellow Cubs' players like Dansby Swanson, who summoned a joke to express his admiration post-game.
