Report: Top pitching prospect Cade Horton set to join Cubs this weekend

Cubs top pitching prospect Cade Horton plans to join the team in New York this weekend, according to a report by the Des Moines Register.

The right-hander will likely take the place of injured Shota Imanaga in the rotation and make his major-league debut on Saturday against the Mets.

At Triple-A Iowa this season, Horton has posted a 1.24 ERA in 6 starts, with 32 strikeouts over 29 innings. He missed the majority of last season with a right lat injury, which slowed his progress.

His most recent start for the Iowa Cubs was on Sunday, when he completed 6 innings on 78 pitches, allowing 2 hits and 1 run while striking out 5. Horton uses mostly a two-pitch mix with a mid-90s four-seam fastball and slider, while sprinkling a changeup, curve and sinker.

The Cubs selected Horton No. 7 overall in the 2022 MLB draft, not long after he helped lead Oklahoma to the College World Series finals.

The Norman, Okla., native originally planned to play baseball and quarterback in college. But he had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow before his freshman year and never got on the football field.

Horton is rated the Cubs' No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline, behind third baseman Matt Shaw, and No. 4 overall.

Imanaga went on the 15-day injured list Monday and is expected to miss more than two weeks. So there will be opportunity for Horton to make several starts.

The Cubs put off making an announcement about Saturday's starter all week, but this seemed like the most logical option. Horton is coming off a significant injury last year, but the statistics show he's as ready for an MLB debut as he's ever going to be.