Chicago Cubs: Re-grading the fateful 2021 trade deadline

Bailey Horn looks like a lottery ticket the Cubs hit on in Ryan Tepera trade

Though there’s always a surplus of right-handed bullpen arms available at the deadline, you’d be forgiven for feeling a tad underwhelmed by the Ryan Tepera return when it originally happened. Bailey Horn, the White Sox fifth-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, was the sole prospect that came back to the Cubs, and he had struggled mightily in his lone season of minor league baseball.

Tepera became a vital part of the White Sox bullpen, pitching to the tune of a 2.50 ERA in 22 appearances and helping lead the White Sox to the postseason, where he promptly fed the Astros bulletin board material before departing in free agency. Meanwhile, Horn, like many other pitchers in the Cubs system this year, has broken out in a massive way in 2022.

Being used exclusivley as a two-inning reliever after a late start to the year, Horn pitched ten innings in High-A South Bend, striking out 16 and allowing no runs before his quick promotion to Tennessee. The only somewhat concerning stat was his five walks, but overall it has been much more good than bad with Horn.

Whether his future is as a reliever or a starter, the needle is pointing up for Bailey Horn

• Original Grade: C
• New Grade: B+