On his way home from the OU baseball facilities Wednesday evening, Skip Johnson’s phone buzzed. On the other line was a pitching pupil and one of the Chicago Cubs’ top prospects in Cade Horton, a leader from OU's 2022 College World Series runner-up squad.

Horton reached the majors thanks to a collaborative process that began during spring training in Arizona: "He's going to impact this team."

Horton had a locker in the Citi Field visitors clubhouse but was considered a member of the taxi squad Friday.