Two-sport star Cade Horton set to play baseball and football at OU
Editor’s note: The Chicago Cubs drafted Cade Horton with the No. 7 pick in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft on July 17.
NORMAN, Okla. (BVM) ― Baseball prospects from around the country heard their name called in the MLB draft this past summer. But one of those players who did not hear their name called was Cade Horton. The only player from Norman High School to win the Gatorade Oklahoma Baseball Player of the Year will look to enhance his efforts as he plans to play football and baseball at Oklahoma University.
“I’ve known Cade since he was in middle school,” Norman High School head baseball Cody Merrell said. “He’s a great kid, a hard worker, and his teammates loved him. And for a high school player, he had amazing instincts.”
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound senior led the Tigers to a 3-1-1 record before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During that five-game stretch, Horton batted .375 with six RBIs and six runs scored. He finished his prep career with a career batting average of .420, 140 hits, 128 runs scored, 78 RBIs.
Horton also finished with 34 doubles in his prep career. Known for his constant hustle and aggressive baserunning style, he wouldn’t settle for many singles.
“He’s a very aggressive baserunner,” Merrell said. “He would hit a ball [into the outfield], and when he’d hit first base, he’d burn into second for a double.”
Along with his offensive prowess, Horton’s defensive play at shortstop was key to the Tigers’ success on the diamond.
“He’s been holding that position down for four years,” Merrell said. “When we needed an out, everyone looked to him to make a play. We were happy the ball was hit to him.”
Because of his dominant play at the prep level, Horton is recognized as one of the nation’s top baseball recruits. According to Perfect Game, Horton is the No. 27 prospect in the nation, and Perfect Game ranks him as the nation’s third-best shortstop prospect.
With his success on the diamond, Horton also found success on the gridiron. Manning the quarterback position for Norman, Horton threw for 3,084 yards, 26 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions last season, and was named to the all-state team as an honorable mention. He also led the Tigers to the playoffs, where they fell to Owasso in the first round.
https://twitter.com/cadehorton14/status/1203056572173312002
Horton also showed that he’s devoted to the classroom as well as the field, maintaining a 3.66 GPA.
“He always had good grades and took care of his business,” Merrell said. “You never had to worry about him doing something stupid.”
Horton also focused on giving back to the community that has shown him so much love over the years. He would regularly volunteer his time at youth baseball and softball games.
Now with his high school career behind him, Horton hasn’t left his hometown of Norman. Last January, he committed to the University of Oklahoma to play baseball and football.
Horton will be joining the Sooner baseball team that started 14-4 and was ranked No.9 in the nation before the season was shut down. The year prior, the Sooners finished with a 33-23 record (11-13 Big 12).
Not only will he be playing for his hometown team, but he will be playing for one of the best coaches in college baseball, Skip Johnson. Johnson has been the head coach for the Sooners since 2017. In just three seasons, he has led the team to an overall record of 85-52. Horton could help improve that record once he takes to the diamond this spring.
Horton also found himself among the top 150 MLB prospects this past spring. Back in April, MLB.com had Horton ranked as high as No. 47. He could have been drafted, but the draft was cut short because of the ongoing pandemic. He will aim to move up that list after his first year as a Sooner.
At the age of 19, Horton has a lot of potential. Competition at the collegiate level can test younger athletes, but Horton will likely be up to the challenge.
“He’s a really good player, and he’s a really good person,” Merrell said. “I think that’s why everyone is pulling for him to succeed in college, and hopefully, years after that.”
Sooner born, Sooner bred.
Welcome home, @cadehorton14!#2020Vision👀 pic.twitter.com/ExwQkhAwjd
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) December 18, 2019
