Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs put up an underrated first half of the 2022 season. Sadly, many overlook his skills; we all know that good players and their work are often not celebrated or discussed, especially when playing for a bad team. However, quietly and among people who cover the game regularly, the shortstop is becoming a household name. Hoerner continues to succeed as more attention should be put on the 25-year-old.
Nico Hoerner
First Half Numbers
The former first-round pick in 2018 has been with the big-league club since 2019. By Sunday, Hoerner was hitting .303, fifth best in the National League and an overall thirteenth best in MLB. He has 85 hits, 12 doubles, and 29 runs scored. His fielding should also be mentioned. He has a solid .976 fielding percentage while covering the shortstop position.
Hoerner’s Quick Development
Hoerner played college ball at Stanford and was the 24th pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. He made his professional debut with the Arizona League Cubs and moved up to the A Rookie League Eugene Emeralds in late June that season. He was promoted to the High-A South Bend Cubs in mid-July, but a ligament injury ended his season.
In 2019, he began the season at Double-A. Over seventy games, he hit .284. The Cubs selected Hoerner’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues on September 9, 2019, making him the first player from the 2019 MLB Draft class to make it to the big leagues.
Hoerner got a single in his first ever at-bat in his first game at shortstop for the Cubs. He went on to finish 3 for 5 with four RBIs. Over twenty games for the Cubs, he hit .282 with three home runs and 17 RBIs. It looked like he had arrived and settled for a long MLB career.
Pandemic, Injuries and a New Position
In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Hoerner hit only .222 in 48 games. In 2021, a nagging oblique injury limited him to 44 games, but he hit .302, playing mostly second base with some time at shortstop and in the outfield. Earlier this spring, the Cubs signed shortstop Andrelton Simmons to help solidify their needs at short after losing out on Carlos Correa. It looked as if Simmons would be the starter. However, Hoerner took over the position full-time after an excellent Spring Training, with Simmons as the team’s utility infielder.
Injury in May
Hoerner injured his ankle in May in a bizarre play when he collided with an umpire. It was his third big league injury as some Cubs fans wonder whether or not he is injury prone. He can play 125 to 150 games like the average major league shortstop, or he is truly only a utility infielder who occasionally gets a spot start?” they were asking. However, since his return, Hoerner has looked better than ever.
Cubs’ Desire for a Better Shortstop
For the past few seasons, the Cubs have wanted a big-name shortstop. They lost out on the Carlos Correa sweepstakes in March when he went to the Minnesota Twins. Once again, Chicago might be interested in a big-ticket free agent shortstop in 2023. Correa, who can opt out—and most likely will—Xander Bogaerts, Dansby Swanson, and Trea Turner will all be available as free agents.
However, suppose Hoerner remains healthy and continues to play well the rest of the 2022 season, proving to the front office that he is their shortstop of the future and that he is a leader of this team on and off the field. In that case, they can concentrate on spending money on free agent starting pitchers.
Nico Hoerner Outlook
Chicago’s future continues to look bright. It should include outfielders Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, and Nico Hoerner. Although Happ is a player contending teams are eyeing as the trade deadline approaches. If the Cubs decide to trade Happ for prospects, Brennen Davis could get a look at the final month of the season. Davis is a two-time Buck O’Neil Cubs Minor League Player of the Year winner.
For Hoerner, who continues to be a bright spot for the Cubs this season, could be the long-term solution at shortstop. He is an everyday player who could help this Cubs team get back to winning shortly. His glove has impressed at shortstop. He has already shown he can hit but accepts that he can still improve in every aspect of his game. He’s also stepped up as a leader. A healthy and always improving Hoerner can only be an asset to the Cubs’ future.
Main Image
Players Mentioned:
Andrelton Simmons, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, Dansby Swanson, Trea Turner, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Brennen Davis
