ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner was ready for the opening week of the season to end.
The pageantry of Opening Day coupled with the day off Friday threw off his rhythm. Hoerner also had to deal with his contract extension, which cements him as part of the Cubs’ core. Once he agreed to a six-year, $141 million extension — the third-richest contract among second basemen in total value — he could exhale.
That extension validated Hoerner and other contact-oriented infielders, showing there is more to the game than hitting home runs. Hoerner is an elite defender and baserunner with valuable contact skills. Though he has only 37 career home runs, the Cubs showed how much they value him.
Instead of resting on his laurels after the extension, Hoerner has shown no signs of slipping. He’s playing at the All-Star level he displayed in the playoffs last season, when he batted .419 with a .973 OPS.
Hoerner entered Thursday tied with three other position players for the best WAR in baseball at 1.2. Even though it’s early, the way he’s achieving his numbers is sustainable. Hoerner is batting .333 with a 1.000 OPS and a team-leading six doubles. Going into the Pirates series Friday, Hoerner has recorded two-plus RBI in three consecutive games.
Hoerner got the Cubs’ 6-2 win Wednesday started with a leadoff homer. He battled in the at-bat, fouling off good pitches before getting a sweeper he could turn on for damage. Left fielder Ian Happ pointed to Hoerner’s fifth-inning RBI double that squeaked past Jonathan Aranda as the perfect summation of Hoerner as a hitter.
“His speed plays into him being able to create extra-base hits,” Ian Happ told the Sun-Times. “We’ve seen some doubles down the left-field line. You saw the one [Wednesday], which is vintage Nico, past the first baseman in a spot where it drives in a run.”
Numbers with runners in scoring position can be volatile, but not for Hoerner. He’s a career .317 hitter with RISP. Hoerner attributes his success in those situations to his mentality. As the Cubs’ offense became more productive against the Rays after a slow start, Hoerner capitalized by bringing runners home.
“It’s just embracing the moment,” Hoerner said Wednesday.
Hoerner’s teammates also have deep respect for his preparation and professionalism. Outfielder Michael Conforto has been around a myriad of talented players and still had high praise for Hoerner after seeing his relentlessness up close.
“He’s as good a player as I’ve played with,” Conforto told the Sun-Times. “He’s just as meticulous about what he does and intense. And it’s not like he just does his own thing and we don’t see him. He’s still with the boys.”
Hoerner is obsessive about his preparation but not reclusive. It’s that steadfast dedication that’s behind Hoerner’s successful career and strong start to the season. He had been susceptible to the power craze before.
“I’ve had stretches where I’ve thought of hitting for power as taking chances and big swings. That’s taken me away from some of my strengths,” he said.
Jameson Taillon and Hunter Harvey were first-round draft picks who had to deal with elbow injuries early in their career.
Lopes was a four-time All-Star during his 10 years with the Dodgers. He played in four World Series, winning the 1981 championship. He also played for the Cubs in 1984-86.
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