This key Cubs veteran is off to a hot start coming off a winter of uncertainty

If Nico Hoerner wasn't recovering from flexor tendon surgery this offseason, it's hard to say whether or not he'd still be with the team. The number of times the Gold Glove infielder was connected to teams like the Seattle Mariners felt like too many to count - and with the Alex Bregman speculation, many wondered if the Chicago Cubs would give the second-base job to top prospect Matt Shaw.

Instead, Bregman went to Boston and Shaw got the third base job out of camp and Jed Hoyer kept his elite double-play combination of Hoerner and Dansby Swanson intact. Hoerner stayed back in Arizona when the team went to Japan for the Tokyo Series in mid-March, but was ready to go for the domestic opener against the Diamondbacks on March 27.

And all he's done since then is produce.

Hoerner ranks second among Cubs position players in bWAR (0.8) - trailing only Kyle Tucker, who has done some pretty remarkable things in his first 12 games with Chicago. He turned in a three-hit performance in Sunday's late-inning loss to the Padres, raising his slash line on the year to .361/.425/.389 in 40 plate appearances.

He's found success in many of the same ways he always has: by being incredibly hard to put away and utilizing elite bat-to-ball skills. He doesn't barrel many balls and his average exit velocity leaves much to be desired but he continues to find success in the same fashion as three-time batting champion Luis Arraez, who tallied six hits between the final two games of the weekend series at Wrigley Field.

Paired with the plus production at the plate, Hoerner has been his typical lockdown defensive self, ranking in the 90th percentile in OAA at second base - which frankly comes as no surprise. He's been especially impressive on the basepaths, as well, going a perfect 6-for-6 in the stolen base department in just nine games.

For whatever reason, Cubs fans don't seem to appreciate what these solidly above-average players like Hoerner or teammate Ian Happ bring to the table on a daily basis. Both continue to be the epitome of consistency for the Cubs, providing value on both sides of the ball. Now fully healthy, you can just about guarantee Hoerner is headed for another season where he finishes in the 4.0-5.0 bWAR range - and as much as fans take it for granted, that's not something most teams receive out of their second baseman.