Chicago Cubs: Ranking the top five debuts of all-time

Cubs: Nico Hoerner hits the trifecta in San Diego

Number three on the list goes to the Stanford standout. The Cubs were in a world of trouble at the tail end of the 2019 season after both Javier Báez and Addison Russell hit the injured list at the same time. It led the club to promote the year’s prior first-round pick, Nico Hoerner. In the midst of a postseason race, on the road in San Diego, Hoerner made his September debut.

Facing off against another prospective young talent in starting pitcher Cal Quantrill, Hoerner wasted little time. On an 0-2 count in the second inning, Hoerner singled. His first big league hit. His next time up in the fifth, Hoerner faced Quantrill again, with runners at the corners. Hoerner promptly tripled down the line, scoring both runners and giving himself his first two career RBI.

After an offensive barrage from his teammates, Hoerner stepped back in the following inning with another chance to generate some fireworks. In another two-strike bind with two outs, Hoerner sent a single up the middle, scoring two more runs and totaling his count to four on the night.

The youngster finished his debut 3-for-5, two runs and four RBI. He would end up hitting a solid .282 in his first stint, but nothing compares to the excitement of Hoerner’s debut on a warm San Diego evening in September.