Norman star baseball player and Oklahoma commit Cade Horton was named Gatorade’s 2019-20 Oklahoma Baseball Player of the Year, the company announced Thursday. Horton is the first Norman High baseball player to be selected for the award.
This year, the 6-foot-3 senior made an impact with both his arm and bat in the shortened season. A right-handed pitcher, he was 1-0 on the mound with a 0.00 earned run average for Norman (3-1-1). He posted five strikeouts in four innings pitched.
At the plate, Horton batted .375 with six runs scored and six RBIs before the season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. He finished his high school baseball career with a .420 batting average, 140 hits, 128 runs scored, 87 RBI and 34 doubles.
“He is obviously gifted and able to do things other high school players cannot,” Norman coach Cody Merrell said in a release. “As a pitcher, he can throw in by any batter. Defensively, he has unbelievable range and the ability to make plays that will make you shake your head in amazement.”
Horton participated in the 2019 Perfect Game All-American game in August as a shortstop and pitcher. He was a Perfect Game 2020 Preseason All-American selection.
Horton is now a finalist for Gatorade’s national player of the year award. He will also select a national or local youth sports organization to receive a $1,000 grant from the Gatorade Play It Forward program.
Last Edit: May 21, 2020 14:34:40 GMT -6 by The Admin