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

Chicago Cubs: Re-writing the story right away

No matter the time of year and the time of the season, regular season or spring training, most players never forget their first start and hopefully what they accomplished during that moment. In Hoerner’s eyes, it became no different.

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Facing off against Antonio Senzatela, Hoerner singled in his first at-bat. He was far from finished. Following a hit-by-pitch to Victor Caratini, Hoerner singled again which put runners at the corners. In his final at-bat of the afternoon, Hoerner faced off against Colorado reliever Seunghwan Oh. On the very first pitch, Hoerner laced a triple.

Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com spoke to Maddon regarding the different approach Hoerner displayed in his at-bat against Oh, and even Maddon was interested in his approach.

"“Watching his swing from the side, the way the bat comes through, I would think he’s purely just a low-ball hitter. Then came Oh, and I was curious, because he’s an elevated fastball dude. I was curious to see that. And [Hoerner] turned that thing around, like it’s nothing.”"

Maddon has exceptionally high hopes for the kid from Stanford, as do most from Chicago. As a first-round selection last season, the realistic odds are Hoerner begins the year at Low-A or Class-A, but with the skill set he possesses, Hoerner could be sooner for the league than many think.