Chicago Cubs: Nico Hoerner is starting to turn heads in camp

In back-to-back days, 2018 Chicago Cubs first-round pick Nico Hoerner has turned heads. Is he closer to a big league debut than we might think?

Each year, spring training comes and goes with the same excitement and enthusiasm. By this time Chicago Cubs fans are ready for baseball to return, and so for something as meaningless as results from a game which does not matter, there are still many who will find relevance to those results.

It also allows fans to witness the professional debuts of many clubs’ top prospects. As the game continues to grow and develop, much like the young players who are making their impact felt, it brings things full circle possibly providing some semblance to the team makeup in the future.

Nico Hoerner currently ranks as the Cubs’ number six overall prospect on the top 30, according to MLB Pipeline. Outside of Aramis Ademan, who ranks immediately in front, and Miguel Amaya who is the number one overall name, Hoerner is the only other position player in the Cubs’ top 10. It bodes well for future opportunities, and so far he is taking his chance and has been quite impressive.

A mediocre debut we’ve all quickly forgotten

Earlier in the week, Hoerner made his very first appearance for the Cubs. In a game against the Los Angeles Angels, he found himself a late-game entry taking over for Addison Russell. At the first moment Hoerner received an opportunity at shortstop, he became the culprit of an unfortunate error; two innings later in his first at-bat of the game, Hoerner grounded out to the pitcher in unexciting fashion.

It should be expected for Hoerner, as it was his initial taste of big league competition and pitching. Coming off the bench as he did, Hoerner was done no favors however the expectations were not through the roof either — giving him that first opportunity allowed for him to get his feet wet and see what major league pitching was all about.

The following day, Hoerner once again got into the game however did not factor in at all, coming in as a pinch runner. Given a day off Wednesday, Joe Maddon and the Cubs’ brass decidedly gave Hoerner the start as the team’s designated hitter on Thursday versus the Colorado Rockies. He did not disappoint.