Nico Hoerner is backing Cubs' decision with the one thing fans have been begging for

Nico Hoerner was always a clear extension candidate for the Chicago Cubs. Behind the scenes, he emerged as a leader in the clubhouse. On the field, he did everything right. Negotiations can be tricky, but it's no real surprise that Hoerner's profile was one the Cubs felt comfortable with giving him the fourth-largest contract ever handed out to a second baseman.

Whenever a player signs that type of contract, the question instantly becomes what's next. Even before the extension, Hoerner made clear that he was looking to add some more slug to his offensive profile.

That desire was the reason Hoerner altered his stance during the offseason, standing a little more upright instead of the crouched version of his batting stance that we've seen in previous years. The goal was to create some additional pull power while not losing who he is as a hitter.

Early signs suggest that Nico Hoerner's power approach could be adapting.

The early results have been encouraging. Entering player against the Cleveland Guardians on Friday, Hoerner is slashing .318/.385/.500 in his first 26 plate appearances. While the home runs haven't manifested, and it's still fair to expect a cap in that department, the 28-year-old does have four doubles through the first week of the regular season.

Another sign of Hoerner's power developing is his isolated power tracked by FanGraphs. It's derived by subtracting the batting average from a player's slugging percentage, and for Hoerner, the mark is at .182 so far this season. If he keeps that pace, it would easily be a career-best for the Cubs' second baseman. His previous top mark for a full season was .129 in 2022.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that Hoerner's Baseball Savant page would suggest the power approach might be tied to luck to start the season. He's dripping deep blue when it comes to barrel rate, hard-hit rate, and average exit velocity. That should not bring concern to Hoerner's overall profile, as he's proven to find value in just about every other aspect of his game.

Overall, Hoerner has provided instant validation of his contract extension. Adding power to his approach would be like topping a sundae with a cherry. You don't necessarily need it, but you won't say no to it either.