PHILADELPHIA — The Cubs signed first-round draft pick Cade Horton, whom they selected seventh overall last Sunday, to a $4.45 million bonus Friday.
Horton, a right-hander from Oklahoma, signed for below slot value of roughly $5.71 million, allowing the Cubs to allocate extra money to later draft picks. The Cubs said they had signed eight of their first 10 draft picks as of Saturday afternoon — everyone except second-rounder Jackson Ferris and fourth-rounder Nazier Mulé.
‘‘We have to try to figure out how we’re going to optimize our entire draft,’’ vice president of scouting Dan Kantrovitz said of bonus pools before the draft. ‘‘That plays into the calculus of each pick — who we’re going to pick, how much we’re going to pay them.’’
Cubs announce they’ve signed eight of their first 10 picks so far, including Christopher Paciolla (3rd round), Brandon Birdsell (5th), Will Frisch (6th), Nick Hull (7th), Mason McGwire (8th), Connor Noland (9th) and Brody McCollough (10th). https://t.co/PhdecBETcu
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) July 23, 2022
Horton’s 2022 season showed his potential for development. After missing the 2021 season for Tommy John surgery, he eased into this season and posted a 7.94 ERA in his first nine games. But he found his rhythm — and a new slider — in the postseason.
‘‘If you’d have asked me two months ago if Cade Horton was going to be a top target on the road map, I might have been a little skeptical,’’ Kantrovitz said on a video conference call last week. ‘‘But then, fast-forward, witnessing the trajectory of somebody like that — how much he improved, how easily he was able to pick up another pitch, just piecing all that together — it’s an athlete with a high aptitude, with clearly a pretty great arm.’’
In five postseason starts, Horton compiled a 2.61 ERA. In his last two starts of the season, against Notre Dame and Ole Miss at the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, he struck out a combined 24 batters and was named to the all-tournament team.
‘‘In Omaha, that crowd is crazy,’’ Horton said on a video call after being drafted. ‘‘It’s awesome to be able to be on that stage.’’
Miley aiming for live BP
Left-hander Wade Miley (strained left shoulder) said his arm felt good in his 32-pitch bullpen session Friday, even if he felt tired and his lower half wasn’t engaged the way he wanted it to be.
He said he hopes to throw live batting practice Monday, followed by a rehab assignment.
‘‘I’m trying to progress and get my buildup right this time,’’ Miley said, comparing it to his short-lived return from an elbow injury at the beginning of the season. ‘‘It wasn’t on none of these guys, it was on me. I was like, ‘I’m ready, let’s go.’ I’ve just got to remember I’m 35 now, not 25.’’
Miley said he expects to need at least two rehab starts before returning from the 15-day injured list.
Norris released
The Cubs granted left-hander Daniel Norris his unconditional release after designating him for assignment Sunday. He posted a 6.90 ERA in 27 games with the team.
