Cade Horton Crowned 2025 NL Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News: Chicago’s Saving Son Shines.vc

CHICAGO — The moment Cubs fans have been waiting for arrived on October 23, 2025: Cade Horton, the 24-year-old right-hander, was named the National League Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News, a prestigious honor voted on by 320 MLB players. Horton’s meteoric rise—from a 2024 shoulder injury to a 2.67 ERA over 22 starts in 2025—has cemented him as “Chicago’s Saving Son,” a beacon for a Cubs team that surged to a 92-70 record and an NLCS run. Despite a late-season rib fracture, his second-half dominance (1.03 ERA over 12 starts) edged out Atlanta’s Drake Baldwin, sparking debate but undeniable awe. As the BBWAA’s Rookie of the Year vote looms in November, Horton’s breakout season signals a bright future for the Cubs.

Horton’s Breakout: From Sideline to Stardom

Drafted seventh overall out of Oklahoma in 2022, Horton’s 2024 was marred by a shoulder strain, limiting him to 34.1 minor-league innings. The Cubs’ cautious ramp-up paid dividends in 2025: After a May 10 debut, Horton went 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA across 118 innings, posting a 1.09 WHIP and allowing just 10 homers. His second-half heroics—a 1.03 ERA over 61.1 innings, including a 28.1-inning scoreless streak from July 9 to August 13—made him the MLB’s top pitcher (min. 50 innings), outpacing even NL Cy Young favorite Paul Skenes (1.89 ERA). Horton’s knack for inducing soft contact (47.2% groundball rate) and his elite slider (.178 BAA) turned Wrigley Field into his stage.

“Cade’s a competitor,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after a September 9 gem. “He deserves that recognition.” Horton’s 8-1 record post-All-Star break, including a 0.77 ERA over his final nine starts, propelled the Cubs to the top NL Wild Card spot, despite a rotation rocked by Justin Steele’s elbow injury. His August 13 no-hit bid against the Braves, broken up in the seventh, went viral on X: “Horton’s untouchable—future ace!” one post with 25K likes declared.

The Snub Debate: Horton vs. Baldwin

Horton’s award, the Cubs’ first Sporting News Rookie honor since Kris Bryant in 2015, wasn’t without controversy. Atlanta’s Drake Baldwin, a catcher who slashed .274/.341/.469 with 19 homers and 80 RBIs over 124 games, was a strong contender, leading MLB.com’s September 9 poll with 25 first-place votes to Horton’s nine. Baldwin’s full-season durability and defensive prowess (72nd percentile in Blocks Above Average) fueled arguments, with USA Today’s Bob Nightengale noting, “Baldwin’s been with Atlanta since Opening Day… Horton’s pitched just 118 innings.” X posts echoed the sentiment: “Baldwin carried a 75-win team—Horton’s a half-season star,” one with 15K likes read.

Yet, Horton’s second-half dominance and the Cubs’ playoff push tipped the scales. His 2.1 bWAR trailed Baldwin’s 2.7, but his 0.784 WHIP in August and 11 wins swayed voters, as team success often does. The Sporting News’ Dan Treacy praised Horton’s “excellent regular season,” though his 3.99 xERA hinted at regression risk. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden noted, “Pitchers steal the spotlight when teams win,” highlighting Chicago’s 92-70 record versus Atlanta’s 75-84.

Injury Setback: A Playoff Absence but Bright Future

Horton’s season wasn’t flawless. A rib fracture, caused by a severe cough during a September illness, landed him on the 15-day IL on September 28, ruling him out for the Wild Card Series and NLDS. “It sucks,” Horton told Marquee Sports Network, but he remained optimistic: “All I can do is be a good teammate and get healthy.” By October 15, he was throwing bullpen sessions, and Jed Hoyer confirmed a “normal offseason” awaits, with Horton eyed for the NLCS roster had the Cubs advanced. His absence forced reliance on Matthew Boyd and Shōta Imanaga, but his 2025 heroics—compared to Jake Arrieta’s 2015 by Marquee—signal an ace in the making.

Cubs’ 2026 Outlook: Horton’s Role and Awards Horizon

Horton’s award, the Cubs’ first pitching Sporting News honor since Kerry Wood in 1998, sets the stage for 2026. With Steele’s recovery uncertain and free agents like Ryan Brasier departing, Horton’s 118 innings (more than his 2023-24 minor-league total) prove he’s ready for a full workload. The Cubs’ interest in Ryan Helsley as a closer signals a bullpen overhaul, complementing Horton’s rotation role. If he secures the BBWAA’s Rookie of the Year in November—a likely outcome after Covers.com listed him as the betting favorite—he’ll gain a full service year, per the CBA. “Horton’s the real deal,” an X post with 10K likes declared. “Cubs got their ace for a decade.”

Conclusion

Cade Horton’s 2025 Sporting News NL Rookie of the Year award—earned with a 2.67 ERA, 11 wins, and a historic second-half 1.03 ERA—marks him as Chicago’s cornerstone. Edging out Drake Baldwin, his playoff absence due to a rib fracture couldn’t dim his brilliance. As the Cubs eye 2026 with a bolstered bullpen and Horton’s ace potential, the BBWAA vote looms as his next conquest. Chicago’s Saving Son has arrived.