5 Chicago Cubs that will be part of the next core

5 Chicago Cubs that Will be Part of the Next Core – #5: rNico Hoerner

We’re starting off this list with Nico Hoerner. Hoerner has made quite the impact since being called up at the end of 2019. For one, it took him basically just one year to get called up to the majors, where he currently has a career slash of .275/.343/.356, mostly due to having a down year in 2020 during the pandemic, which prompted a lot of players to struggle mightily.

A first-round pick in 2018, Hoerner quickly became a fan favorite in September of 2019 upon getting called up. Fun fact, Hoerner was the first player to get called up to the Show from his class of fellow draftees. That season, he wound up with 82 at-bats and slashed an impressive .282/.305/.436 at the age of only 22, filling in for a decimated Chicago infield.

in 152 at-bats in 2021, Hoerner is batting .313/.388/.388. Though currently on the IL with a strained right oblique, Hoerner figures to slide over to shortstop next season once Nick Madrigal is healthy. With his terrific defense, above average contact bat and extremely team-friendly contract for the next several years, Hoerner will be around and should only continue to get better with more experience along the way.