Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Cade Horton relishes learning opportunity with Iowa Cubs

Chicago Cubs fans caught a glimpse of Cade Horton, the organization’s top pitching prospect, in Des Moines on Saturday.

And his outing could be the start of big things to come for the Cubs’ former first-rounder.

The 22-year-old pitcher worked his way up through the lower levels of the minors before landing with the Iowa Cubs, and Horton earned his first triple-A start against the Omaha Storm Chasers on Saturday, May 4.

“It’s a good feeling, just knowing I’m one step closer to the ultimate goal,” Horton said about his first start with Iowa. “But just continuing in the process and knowing that I still gotta go out there and perform and put up results.”

Horton knows that the results will come; he just needs to take it one pitch at a time.

In his first start – after being promoted earlier in the week – Horton pitched four innings in a 10-3 loss. He allowed two hits and two earned runs, but he also walked four batters. He struck out six and threw 77 pitches before calling it a day.

It wasn’t a bad showing after a whirlwind week – that involved lots of moving parts and travel and the life-packing, unpacking and repacking that comes with being a minor league player.

He noticed a difference between double-A and triple-A, mainly the maturity that comes with a clubhouse lined with experience. Off the field, Horton absorbs how his teammates go about their business – and he takes each moment as a learning lesson.

Even in that first appearance on Saturday, Horton identified certain aspects of his game that need some work. He’s working on his execution: being able to throw every pitch where he wants it.

He also doesn’t want to make the moment too big.

This is a learning opportunity, after all, and he’s figuring out ways to adjust on the fly. Just look back to his performance against Omaha.

“I feel like I was trying to aim a little bit in the second inning, trying to be too perfect,” Horton said about the difference between his second- and third-inning performances. “Instead of just trusting myself and throwing it over the plate and letting guys get themselves out.

“Greatest hitters in the world, they go 3 for 10. I want to use my averages for me, so just being able to throw it in the zone and let the hitters do the work.”

His goal – like that of most prospects – is to make it to the big leagues.

Iowa is the last stop on the ladder before a move to the Chicago Cubs, and Horton understands that he’ll need to prove himself in Des Moines to get a chance in the MLB.

For Horton, the big-picture formula for success is simple.

“Just be myself. Slow the game down. It’s still the same game, 60 feet, six inches. Just go out there and execute.”

Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Cade Horton talks callup to Iowa Cubs