Homegrown Hoerner a standout at second base for Cubs

Before reaching an agreement with Cody Bellinger early Sunday morning, a deal that became official on Tuesday, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer was wisely making his operating philosophy public at every opportunity.

A big-market team like the Cubs needs big-money players like Bellinger, Dansby Swanson, and more.

But for a big-market team to become competitive and stay that way, Hoyer emphasized, accumulating and developing talent in the minor leagues is paramount.

“I want to win this year,” Hoyer said. “But you also have to keep an eye on the future. I think that's the job, balancing that and trying to run an organization that can be sustainable.”

It's nice to be able to spend $177 million over seven years for a proven talent like Swanson.

The same can be said for going to Japan and paying what it takes to land Nippon Professional Baseball standouts Seiya Suzuki and new starting pitcher Shota Imanaga.

And not all MLB teams are willing to sign Bellinger to a contract that could be worth $80 million over three years.

Conversely, perennial contenders all seem to be skilled at hitting on most of their high draft picks.

Nico Hoerner fits into that category.

The Cubs drafted the infielder in the first round (No. 24 overall) in 2018 out of Stanford.

Hoerner was in the major leagues the following year and he made a solid first impression while hitting .282/.305/.436 with 3 home runs and 17 RBI in 20 games.

He had trouble staying healthy in 2020, which was shortened by COVID-19, and Hoerner was limited to 44 games the following season while landing on the injured list four times.

The Cubs' starting shortstop in 2022, Hoerner was an above average defender at the demanding position.

When Swanson joined the roster last season and took over at short, Hoerner selflessly shifted back to second base and wound up winning a Gold Glove.

“I don't think it's that big of a challenge, honestly,” Hoerner said. “It's something that I've done before. I've played it for multiple years. I think shortstop is a little bit more natural for me, but definitely ready to play second base.”

At the plate, Hoerner led the Cubs with 175 hits last season and slashed .283/.346/.383 with 9 home runs and 68 RBI while batting out of the top two spots in the lineup.

During his nine-year run in the Brewers' dugout, new Cubs manager Craig Counsell became quite familiar with Hoerner's all-around ability. He's thrilled they are now on the same side.

“I think what Nico has done early in his career, how you step into the league and is so solid right off the bat, is hard to do,” Counsell told reporters at spring training in Arizona. “It's kind of how Nico is wired. He's a very intelligent player.”

And he's homegrown.

Hoerner signed a three-year, $35 million contract with the Cubs last March. It's looking like a solid investment.

In addition to being a premier contact hitter, a Gold Glove infielder and a heady player, the 26-year-old Hoerner ranked fourth in the National League with 43 stolen bases last season.

It was the highest total on the Cubs since 2006, when Juan Pierre had 58 steals.

Showing he can stay healthy last year while playing 151 games, Hoerner is expected to again be the regular at second base this season.

If he needs a day off or gets hurt, Miles Mastrobuoni and Nick Madrigal are the likely replacements. Christopher Morel is getting a look at third base this spring, but he's another option at second.