Cade Horton is drawing lofty comparisons to a feared former Cubs ace

With the National League Rookie of the Year Award still up for grabs, Chicago Cubs right-hander Cade Horton has done more than enough to give his name heavy consideration.

While the Cubs' offense continued its torrid stretch on Saturday, Horton was lights-out from the get-go on the mound, opening the game with 21 consecutive strikes, tied for the second-most to begin a game since 2000. In a lopsided 12-2 affair, Horton threw six shutout innings, striking out seven in the process.

In seven second-half starts, Horton has pitched to an ERA of 0.49, only allowing two runs in that span. Since the break, the former first-rounder has pitched himself into one of the most dominant stretches in Cubs history, with his two runs allowed serving as the lowest mark since 1901. 

Cade Horton has been nothing short of dominant in seven starts since the All-Star Break

Notably present on that list was former ace Jake Arrieta, who only allowed three runs in a seven-game span in 2015. Arrieta would go on to have one of the most dominant pitching seasons in recent memory, winning the NL Cy Young Award with a 22-6 record to go alongside a 1.77 ERA. 

Any time a pitcher can find himself on any list ahead of 2015 Jake, it proves he’s doing something right.

Since his callup in May, Horton has been doing a lot of things right, quickly becoming one of the most valuable members of the Cubs’ pitching staff. Across 92 2/3 innings, Horton’s ERA is down to 2.88, leading all qualified NL rookies and placing third in all of Major League Baseball.

Since July 1, Horton has been even more electric, leading all of MLB with six scoreless starts of five or more innings, ahead of names like Paul Skenes, teammate Matthew Boyd, and Freddy Peralta.

With the 24-year-old turning heads on the mound, the Cubs have proven that they have a future ace on their hands. After taking a hit with the loss of Justin Steele, Horton has proved to be the perfect replacement, turning the Cubs’ rotation into one of the best in baseball.