Chicago Cubs Call up Top Prospect Nico Hoerner
Nico Hoerner, the Stanford standout the Chicago Cubs took with the 24th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, has been called up to the Show. With Javier Baez and Addison Russell on the injured list, and David Bote or Ben Zobrist not being good options at shortstop, the Cubs have called up their top prospect, and he will start on Monday night in San Diego.
Chicago Cubs Plagued by Injuries in 2019
Baez has been diagnosed with a fracture in his wrist that will keep him out for the remainder of the season. Russell is currently under the concussion protocol after getting hit in the head with a pitch in Milwaukee over the weekend. Bote and Zobrist could fill in but are better at third and second base respectfully. Triple-A shortstop Dixon Machado is injured as well. He has a quad injury that will keep him out until next season.
Nico Hoerner’s Minor League Career
Hoerner has dealt with his own injuries as well. He was hit in the wrist earlier this year and missed a couple of months as a result. He has been compared to All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler and is projected to end up as a second baseman himself. Hoerner has a very accurate arm but not the strongest. He hit for some power prior to the injury and should hit for a decent average in the big leagues. According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun Times, “He hit .292 in 75 minor-league games this year, including .284 with a .344 on-base percentage and three homers in 70 games for AA Tennessee.”
Chicago Cubs Outlook
The Cubs could not afford to have this happen right now. There is going to be a lot of pressure on the young kid to perform at the highest level without much margin for error. The Cubs are currently 4.5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals and just 1.5 games ahead in the race for the second Wild Card spot with three weeks left in the season. This could derail the Cubs season and allow the Arizona Diamondbacks to get into the playoffs.
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