Bailey Horn

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #28 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: Horn had Tommy John surgery his sophomore year at McLennan (Texas) JC, but he transferred to Auburn and returned to lead the Tigers to the 2019 College World Series. He held opponents scoreless in three of his four starts during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and was drafted by the White Sox in the fifth round. The Cubs acquired Horn for Ryan Tepera at the 2021 trade deadline and made him a reliever, which led to a breakout. Horn bounded up the Cubs system and went 7-3, 4.21 in 45 appearances across Double-A and Triple-A in 2023.
  
  Scouting Report: Horn has power stuff but is not quite consistent with it. His fastball sits 94-96 mph, touches 98 and gets swings and misses when he throws it over the plate. His sharp, 84-86 mph slider flashes plus and is a wipeout offering at its best. His big-breaking, 75-79 mph curveball with sweep and depth is an above-average pitch that he can land on the backfoot of righties. Horn has plenty of stuff, but he struggles to repeat his delivery and has a violent arm action that yields well below-average control and significant injury risk.
  
  The Future: Horn’s power stuff makes him a potential low-leverage relief option. His major league debut should come in 2024. The Cubs added him to their 40-man roster after the season.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 30 | Control:
• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #25 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Horn had Tommy John surgery during his sophomore season at McLennan (Texas) JC, but still got to Auburn in 2019 and helped pitch the Tigers to the College World Series. He'd started well in 2020 before the novel coronavirus pandemic ended the season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Horn works with a three-pitch mix, fronted by a 90-94 mph fastball with tailing action. He backs it up with a potentially plus curveball and a slider that lags behind just a bit. He's also thrown an inconsistent changeup. The White Sox are particularly intrigued by Horn's athleticism, his aggressive mentality on the mound and the carry he gets on his fastball. They plan to continue developing him as a starter but will need to see his command and control improve if he is to remain in that role.
  
  THE FUTURE: Because of his college pedigree, Horn should start his pro career at high Class A with a chance to move to Double-A by season's end.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #314 prospect in 2020 draft
  An athletic lefthander with a clean arm action and solid three-pitch mix, Horn was off to the best season of his collegiate career this spring before the coronavirus pandemic ended the 2020 season. Through four starts and 17.1 innings, Horn posted a 2.08 ERA with 27 strikeouts and five walks. That performance likely wasn’t a surprise for Auburn’s coaching staff, as Horn was arguably the team’s best pitcher during the fall while he continued developing his secondaries. Horn throws in the 90-94 mph range typically and the pitch has tailing, running action that helps it play up. For secondaries, Horn has flashed above-average potential with both a breaking ball and changeup, but both pitches remain inconsistent. His breaking ball ranges from a 30-grade offering to a plus pitch, and some evaluators believe it fluctuates because his arm slot changes when he throws it. The same is true for his changeup, which fluctuates from a 40-grade offering to a 55-grade pitch. He is athletic, so there’s hope he can add consistency to both offerings in the future. Horn is more of a control over command type, as he can be scattered and inefficient with his pitches, but he’s typically around the zone enough to do damage. There are questions about his future role, with some thinking a bullpen role is his most likely destination, but the athleticism, frame and flashes of a three-pitch mix could lead others to be more optimistic. Horn does have a Tommy John surgery on his resume.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Horn had Tommy John surgery during his sophomore season at McLennan (Texas) JC, but still got to Auburn in 2019 and helped pitch the Tigers to the College World Series. He'd started well in 2020 before the novel coronavirus pandemic ended the season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Horn works with a three-pitch mix, fronted by a 90-94 mph fastball with tailing action. He backs it up with a potentially plus curveball and a slider that lags behind just a bit. He's also thrown an inconsistent changeup. The White Sox are particularly intrigued by Horn's athleticism, his aggressive mentality on the mound and the carry he gets on his fastball. They plan to continue developing him as a starter but will need to see his command and control improve if he is to remain in that role.
  
  THE FUTURE: Because of his college pedigree, Horn should start his pro career at high Class A with a chance to move to Double-A by season's end.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Horn had Tommy John surgery during his sophomore season at McLennan (Texas) JC, but still got to Auburn in 2019 and helped pitch the Tigers to the College World Series. He'd started well in 2020 before the novel coronavirus pandemic ended the season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Horn works with a three-pitch mix, fronted by a 90-94 mph fastball with tailing action. He backs it up with a potentially plus curveball and a slider that lags behind just a bit. He's also thrown an inconsistent changeup. The White Sox are particularly intrigued by Horn's athleticism, his aggressive mentality on the mound and the carry he gets on his fastball. They plan to continue developing him as a starter but will need to see his command and control improve if he is to remain in that role.
  
  THE FUTURE: Because of his college pedigree, Horn should start his pro career at high Class A with a chance to move to Double-A by season's end.
• December, 2019 Scouting Report
  An athletic lefthander with a clean arm action and solid three-pitch mix, Horn was off to the best season of his collegiate career this spring before the coronavirus pandemic ended the 2020 season. Through four starts and 17.1 innings, Horn posted a 2.08 ERA with 27 strikeouts and five walks. That performance likely wasn’t a surprise for Auburn’s coaching staff, as Horn was arguably the team’s best pitcher during the fall while he continued developing his secondaries. Horn throws in the 90-94 mph range typically and the pitch has tailing, running action that helps it play up. For secondaries, Horn has flashed above-average potential with both a breaking ball and changeup, but both pitches remain inconsistent. His breaking ball ranges from a 30-grade offering to a plus pitch, and some evaluators believe it fluctuates because his arm slot changes when he throws it. The same is true for his changeup, which fluctuates from a 40-grade offering to a 55-grade pitch. He is athletic, so there’s hope he can add consistency to both offerings in the future. Horn is more of a control over command type, as he can be scattered and inefficient with his pitches, but he’s typically around the zone enough to do damage. There are questions about his future role, with some thinking a bullpen role is his most likely destination, but the athleticism, frame and flashes of a three-pitch mix could lead others to be more optimistic. Horn does have a Tommy John surgery on his resume.