3 Cubs players it's way too soon to freak out about amidst early season struggles

Nico Hoerner has suffered from a lack of hard contact at the dish

Nico Hoerner, when right, is probably the Cubs player I'd bet reaching 200 hits in a single season before he hangs up his spikes. Not one to take aim at the bleachers, Hoerner has showcased some elite bat-to-ball skills in his career and has all the tools of an eventual All-Star second baseman.

No one will ever question his glove work or baserunning, but an icy start at the plate is raising some eyebrows. The former first-rounder ranks in the bottom 1% of the league in barrel % and, to this point, he hasn't been able to drop balls in or take what the defense gives him the same way he has in the past.

A top-tier walk rate has salvaged Hoerner's slash line to this point (.171/.352/.195) but he hasn't been able to do anything against fastballs and it's hurt him. Over the last few years, he's always been near the bottom of the league in barrel rate and has overcome that obstacle, but that hasn't been the case here in April. A .200 BABIP suggests he's due for some positive regression and the Cubs will gladly welcome that when it comes.