BALTIMORE — Top prospect Cade Horton appeared to be on track this season to potentially help the Chicago Cubs in September.
It would have followed a similar path fellow former top pick Jordan Wicks took last year, earning valuable experience that helped position the left-hander to be part of the big-league staff this season. Horton, though, continues to recover from the moderate subscapularis strain he suffered in early June.
He is throwing on flat ground, assistant general manager Jared Banner said Wednesday, and is early in the build-up process. Horton, 22, dominated at Double-A Tennessee to earn a promotion to Triple-A Iowa, where the right-hander made five starts and posted a 4.46 ERA before the injury.
Another injury has sidelined outfielder Brennen Davis as he recovers from a back fracture. It’s another frustrating setback for the 24-year-old who has been hampered by numerous injuries during his career, including multiple back ailments. There is no timeframe for Davis’ return with Banner calling it a day-by-day situation.
“Brennen’s a great kid, he works exceptionally hard,” Banner said. “To see him have to go through this adversity time and time again is tough for all of us as an organization. But we know he can handle it, and we know he’s going to come out better on the other side.”
Matt Shaw, James Triantos earn Futures Game honor
Two of the Cubs’ top prospects will be showcased in the Futures Game on Saturday at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, as part of the annual All-Star festivities.
Infielders Matt Shaw and James Triantos will represent the Cubs while catcher Moises Ballesteros is slated to compete in the Futures Skills Showcase. Triantos is replacing outfielder Owen Caissie, who is dealing with a sore back. Triantos has built off a stellar offensive performance in the Arizona Fall League.
“It’s his consistency,” Banner said. “He’s always made a lot of contact, not a strikeout guy. He’s increased his power output a bit this year, just making better decisions and in the box, avoiding slumps.”
Ed Howard getting on track
Ed Howard’s road in professional baseball hasn’t been smooth.
Selected by the Cubs in the first round of the shortened 2020 draft, the Mount Carmel product got off to a slow start when he suffered from a devastating hip injury that cost him most of the 2022 season and part of last year. In his third season at High A South Bend, Howard is getting on track fully recovered from the injury and showing some of the upside the Cubs believed in when they took him with the No. 16 pick.
“He just needs reps, and that’s something he and I talked about a lot this spring,” Banner said. “And as he’s gotten those reps, he’s continued to get better and I expect that to continue.”
In 57 games with South Bend this year, Howard, 22, is hitting .255 with a .304 on-base percentage and .644 OPS. A slow start to July has hurt his overall numbers, but Howard’s production over 72 at-bats in June (.319/.364/.375 slash line) is a reminder of his potential.
“He has continued to work hard through both his injuries and some struggles through the early part of his career, and I think what he’s been able to do in the first half of this season is a major story,” Banner said. “He’s again responding to adversity. He’s built his body back up to where he’s moving the same way again. He’s hitting the ball as hard as he used to and continuing to make adjustments, and it’s showing in this performance. I’m proud of the work that he has done.”
Nazier Mulé getting first taste of full-season affiliate
Tommy John surgery delayed the beginning of right-hander Nazier Mulé’s professional career after the Cubs took him in the fourth round in 2022.
Since joining Low A Myrtle Beach at the end of May, Mulé has made six starts, averaging three innings per outing. The 19-year-old has shown electric stuff and is working on his command with 18 walks in 18 innings. That can be part of the process coming back from surgery as a pitcher works to regain his form. One of the adjustments going from the Arizona Complex League to Low A is learning about execution and how to make in-game adjustments if things aren’t going well, Banner said.
“It’s just great to see him healthy again and competing under the lights and in a full-season affiliate,” Banner said. “I know when guys are down in Arizona for such a long period of time it can be challenging, so I’m glad to have him around the guys playing for hopefully a playoff spot.”
