Chicago Cubs first baseman Eric Hosmer is no stranger to hot offensive starts

Chicago Cubs first baseman Eric Hosmer has been one of the surprises through the first stretch of games for the team during the 2023 season. Through his first 28 plate appearances this season, Hosmer is slashing .320/.393/.400 with 7 RBI. Hosmer has been a run producer for the Cubs this season as he currently boasts a 119 wRC+ and .357 wOBA.

Many Cubs fans may not have forecasted this start to the season for Hosmer. The Cubs signing of Hosmer during the offseason was criticized despite it being for the league minimum as it gave off the impression that the team wasn't fully addressing the first base position. Cubs first base prospect Matt Mervis has been closely monitored by fans since his breakout 2022 campaign in the team's farm system and many believed Hosmer would be a roadblock to the prospect reaching the Major League level.

Given the success that Hosmer has had to start the season, Mervis is not needed at the Major League level at this time. Though, Hosmer is no stranger to hot offensive starts to a season. Last season with the San Diego Padres, Hosmer slashed .389/.457/.597 while posting a wRC+ of 200 and .451 wOBA. After his hot start to the season with the Padres in 2022, Hosmer was rated as a below-average player as he posted a wRC+ under 100 during the months of May and June. Hosmer was traded to the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline and had another month with a wRC+ under 100 in August.

At the very least, Hosmer may have bought another month as the Cubs' first baseman before the team begins to consider a promotion of Mervis in earnest. If Hosmer regresses in May like he did last year with the Padres, chances are that the team will be willing to move on from the veteran first baseman in June.