Ranking the Chicago Cubs first round draft picks since 2013

Chicago Cubs v New York Mets
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4. 2B Nico Hoerner 2018

The Cubs found a gem with their 2018 1st rounder when they selected Nico Hoerner 24th overall. After getting called up in 2019 out of Double-A, Hoerner has mostly stayed on the major league roster and started at either second base of shortstop. The 25-year-old makes up for his lack of power with consistent contact and gold-glove-caliber defense. After an injury-plagued 2021 campaign, Hoerner proved he can perform over a full season last year where he finished with a .281/.327/.737 slash line. Even though he was snubbed in the gold glove voting, he played elite defense at shortstop and will look to lock down the infield with his new double-play partner Dansby Swanson. Cubs manager David Ross also has a lot of confidence for Hoerner in 2023 and has hopes he will be the answer for the top of the lineup.