Cubs hope Nico Hoerner can be their next Ben Zobrist-type utilityman

On a Cubs team lacking depth, Nico Hoerner could be a fix all over the diamond.

Looking at the depth chart for the Chicago Cubs right now sure feels different than it did just a few short seasons ago. The offseason has been slow-moving so far, allowing the uncertainty about the team’s direction and outlook to linger as we near the end of 2020.

Right now, Chicago lacks a third starting outfielder and, if they do, indeed, trade Kris Bryant, the infield depth would be in tatters. There are two starting pitchers you feel good about atop the rotation, a closer that may or may not get the job done in the final year of his deal and a core that’s less than a year from hitting the open waters of free agency.

So now we have to start looking to the future. Part of that future? Former first-round pick Nico Hoerner. Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times looked at the Stanford standout’s standing with the team in his latest piece – and it got me thinking. Could he eventually be the second coming of a Ben Zobrist-type player?