Chicago Cubs: Three possibilities for Nico Hoerner in 2020

With Chicago Cubs Nico Hoerner’s necessary premature call-up in late 2019, the Cubs accelerated the clock on their top prospect and now head into 2020 with several questions to answer regarding their young infielder.

The Chicago Cubs Nico Hoerner belongs in the major leagues on Opening Day in 2020. Whether that will happen or not is anyone’s guess, but it’s what would be best for everyone concerned- player and team. Concerning Hoerner, there are three distinct possibilities for the prized 22-year-old infielder that make sense at this point in the offseason.

Hoerner, the 24th overall and first pick from the 2018 draft to get to the majors, showed in his brief time with the big league club that he could provide many of the pieces they’ve been looking for of late. Contact on offense, solid defense at several positions, and a cheap and extremely team-friendly deal.

Hoerner played in 20 games for the big league club in 2019, scored 13 runs, drove in another 17, and posted a .282 average in September. He displayed a solid glove and arm, and significant contact skills at the plate to go with some power that many expect Hoerner to grow into as he gets older. Regardless, doubles are a great thing too, and Hoerner has already shown that the deserves to be in the bigs smacking balls in the gap and flashing the leather around.

Chicago Cubs: Will Nico and Javy be a thing this year?

The most apparent plan involving Hoerner at this moment is to start him as the Cubs Opening Day second baseman. Given his success and the way he handled himself while up for his 20 games in September, there’s no doubt Hoerner could handle the pressure that would come with starting the season as the starter at second base.

With any luck, the Addison Russell saga will be done with at some point this season, leaving Hoerner as the only real option to man second base as of right now. Sure, David Bote could start a few games there, but he’s a nice guy to be able to use off the bench or in times of injury at several different spots, if necessary. Hoerner is a certifiable middle infielder, who has displayed the ability to play both second base and shortstop. While he doesn’t have the same kind of bazooka that Javier Baez uses on a regular basis, neither does anyone else in the league quite frankly.

Robel Garcia could have been used and may get another shot at some at-bats, but I don’t think he’s ready for the big lights given his uneven 2019. Barring the addition of someone like Howie Kendrick (who isn’t that great a defender at this point), or re-signing a Ben Zobrist (who wouldn’t play every day anyway), the second base spot should be Hoerner’s by default. It’s a long offseason, but this is the option I’d choose if everything else were equal.

Pairing Hoerner with Baez could make their infield defense similar to what we saw in 2016, and that’s not even discussing his offensive ability. Hoerner’s highly touted contact rate and strength are exactly what the Cubs need in 2020, and it’s also precisely what they’ve come out and said is their priority. Why get rid of a guy who can fill one of your open spots and do on offense what you want him to do eventually?

Chicago Cubs: Is putting this guy in Triple-A even fair?

While it may not be popular for most fans, there is every possibility that Hoerner starts the season in Triple-A getting regular at-bats, feeling and throwing more balls consistently, and biding his time. If the Cubs decide to go with a committee of guys at second base or acquire someone outside the organization, it might make it necessary to start Hoerner at Iowa because he won’t be getting regular at-bats in Chicago.

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While this would be seen to many as a disappointment, Hoerner will be back up in the bigs at some point in 2020, barring something catastrophic. As with all young prospects, you have to gauge how much they’ll be able to play. Where you’re at in terms of contention, how they’ll respond to that, as well as their production itself.

That being said, if Hoerner starts the season in Iowa, he will tear the cover off the ball there and be a beast on that Triple-A Cubs lineup. 0nce the season starts, it’s just a matter of time before an injury or poor play necessitates a move.

The other piece to consider is that the Cubs might want Hoerner to get reps playing different positions in an attempt to ready him for becoming David Ross‘s swiss-army knife.  If Hoerner can play center field in addition to anywhere on the infield, it gives Ross and the Cubs so many more options, especially considering how Hoerner puts the bat on the ball and the fact that he’s right-handed.