Cubs may finally be getting old Nico Hoerner back after miserable slump

Nico Hoerner has had an odd 2026 season. Hoerner and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a six-year contract extension at the start of the season, and Hoerner had a month of April that placed him in way-too-early MVP conversations. Since then, Hoerner's offensive numbers have cratered, and there's been no true reason why.

Looking through Hoerner's Baseball Savant page, most of his underlying metrics are on par with his output from past seasons. As simple as it may seem, the only difference this season is that Hoerner wasn't getting results.

There's been a popular misconception this season that Hoerner has been pulling the ball more, at the behest of the Cubs, and that has altered his approach. That idea is mostly only tied to the fact that Hoerner had four home runs in April.

The numbers don't back that theory, Hoerner is pulling the ball 34.7% of the time this season, down from 37.9% last season. For reference, Hoerner's career pull-rate is 34.7%.

It's been a baffling slump, and every time it seemed Hoerner was turning a corner, he regressed. Hoerner went hitless during the Cubs' series against the Cincinnati Reds before the All-Star break, and it was a reminder of the difference he can make when he's going right. In an encouraging sign, that difference was on full display during the Cubs' series against the Minnesota Twins this past weekend.

Cubs finally have reason for optimism after Nico Hoerner's impressive weekend against the Twins

Hoerner went 8-13 against the Twins over the last three days, posting a wRC+ of 290 and tallying 5 RBI. In a true sign that the results may finally be arriving for Hoerner, his BABIP over the weekend was .727.

Making contact has never been the issue for Hoerner. Even with his struggles this season, Hoerner was still striking out only 8.1% of the time. His BABIP, however, would suggest that he just wasn't finding gaps. On the season, Hoerner's BABIP is .258, nearly 40 points lower than his career average.

If Hoerner has turned the page from his slump that lasted nearly three months, that would go a long way toward the Cubs' offense having a more consistent approach during the second-half of the 2026 season. There's still other things need, like Alex Bregman continuing to raise his slug, but Hoerner once again being at the center of the team's ability to score runs is an important development.

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