Bryan Smith

Nah you know I like best when we talk about the A ball relievers

Plus, more importantly, I tell you where the best 5 breakfast sandwiches in Chicago are.

This Cubs team has sparked the writing itch again, and so I’ve decided to listen and hit publish. Come hang out for the rest of 2025.

Here’s the first post: open.substack.com/pub/fivecubs...

CubsPS+ #109: Cade Horton, Pitch Counts & Pitching Depth with Bryan Smith Podcast Episode · Bleacher Bunch Network: A Chicago Cubs Podcast · 06/05/2025 · 40m

Why did Cade Horton stop at 79 pitches SIX times? 🤯

@cubsmith.bsky.social joins me to talk pitch counts, bullpen depth, and why scoring runs is actually… good?

#Cubs #CubsPSPlus #CadeHorton #PitchingDepth #BleacherBunch @bleacherbunch.bsky.social

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

A couple 20-year-olds in A+ with identical OPS:

Zyhir Hope: .300/.383/.506, 147+, 11.3 BB%, 23.7 K%, 72.2 Contact%

Jefferson Rojas: .301/.389/.500, 145+, 10.8 BB%, 19.1 K%, 80.7 Contact%

Co-sign. Top four Cubs prospect currently in the minors, top 100 in MLB, imo.

Hottovy be special

We heard when Counsell joined that empowering young players to bridge success from the minors to Majors was one of his strengths. There might be other examples of him doing it, but how he’s built Palencia’s confidence up in the last few weeks is now example 1A. You can *see* his self belief growing.

And then didn’t even stick it up your (yeah)

I honestly believe it’s more important that he gets the fastball to viable than a third pitch for now. Both would be, of course, great.

Why this matters:

MLB in 2025 against pitches with this pitch shape: 215 AVG, 379 SLG, 307 wOBA, 28.5 Whiff%.

Brown in 2025 with this shape: 250 AVG, 375 SLG, 293 wOBA, 18.2 Whiff%.

Brown in 2025 with 4 seam below 96: 378 wOBA.

Brown in 2025 with 4 sm IVB under 18: 414 wOBA.

Never a good idea to get too high on a player at his peak moments or too low on a player in his valleys.

So let me offer some Ben Brown optimism today.

Number of 4-seams in a game that exceed both 96 mph and 18 IVB (rising impact). Look at the top 2; they’re actively working on improved shape.

For the first time since leaving the University of Oklahoma, Cade Horton has thrown 80 pitches.

Jaxon Wiggins makes his Double-A debut tonight. His numbers in High-A were comical:

26.1 IP, 1.71 ERA, 0.99 WHIP
29.5 K%, 12.4 BB%
17.3 SwStr%, 32.9 CSW%
.143/.257/.231//.488 opp slash

Moises Ballesteros playing pepper with the left center ivy is gonna hit different

87 was definitely the most surprising number in that start!

Interesting, exciting, planning to watch it back this morning. Brailyn Marquez holds that title now for me, July 25, 2019. Wicks last one in South Bend was really great, Keegan had one in AA before an injury that was amazing, Cade in the playoffs. Those are what come to mind.

I hope the day Cade Horton traveled to New York coincides with the day Jaxon Wiggins is told it’s time for Double-A. Suspect so.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting Cade Horton: The Phenom is Ready - Bleacher Nation Cade Horton is one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. Here's why.

It’s just not often that a first place team calls up the best pitching prospect they’ve had in 20 years for a start. Worthy of a party. And worthy of a post.

www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2025/05...

Since Porter Hodge was (unfairly) hit for 5 runs on April 18, the Cubs bullpen ranks fourth in MLB in ERA (2.12) and sixth in FIP (3.18).

He back

The Cubs call it a day for Horton at 76 pitches. It seems like 75 is the number where he can’t start a new AB when north of that number.

4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB (leadoff hitter), 5 K. 38 CSW%.

Retired last 9 he faced.

The May debut now firmly in his sights.

I think we’re looking at a spot start call up in 3 weeks or so now.

It’s something you’ll definitely want him to start inducing, but as he throws plenty of good breakers in the zone early in counts, I would say he does the right things to make that happen, AAA hitters just aren’t appropriately responding.

Dominant Horton arrives in the fourth, where five fastball called strikes (generally in phenomenal locations) allows him to get hitters on the heels, with 3 strikeouts coming via slider, then fastball, then curveball. Really nice day for that always underappreciated curve.

Thru 3 scoreless, with Horton at 53 pitches. The fastball has yielded both hits (and both on 2-strike counts) and the walk, the breaking balls have been pretty fantastic. It’s not any form of dominance so far, but it’s certainly a level above competence.

Horton fights some fastball command that’s just missing armside in the first, but the breaking balls save him, one great curveball and a handful of good sliders. Looked like a pro adjusting and battling from behind.

Looks like MiLB’s free game of the day is Cade Horton on the mound at 10:05 am central, so you’re welcome for ruining your work day. I’ll dump some observations during the game in here.

Big thing to look for is if Horton can pass the 80-pitch mark. Has yet to do it as a pro, but 76 last outing.

LMAO PCA

SING THE FUCKING SONG!!!