Nico Hoerner

Nico Hoerner is an accomplished infielder for the Chicago Cubs, known for his defensive prowess and consistent offensive contributions. After being drafted 24th overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2018 MLB draft, Nico Hoerner quickly made his mark, becoming the first player from his draft class to reach MLB when he debuted for the Chicago Cubs on September 9, 2019. Signing for a $2.72 million bonus, Hoerner was a highly-touted prospect following a decorated collegiate career, where he was named to the All-Pac-12 team in both 2017 and 2018 and a Cape Cod Baseball League all-star in 2017. In his impactful MLB debut, he impressed with three hits and four RBIs against the San Diego Padres, swiftly building on this by recording 11 RBIs in his first six career games, a franchise record.

Hoerner continued his trajectory as a cornerstone player for the Chicago Cubs into 2024, leading the team in hits (159), doubles (35), and stolen bases (31). His performance positioned him among the top qualified second basemen in various offensive categories across the league. A testament to his speed and base-running acumen, Hoerner became the first Cub since Sammy Sosa in 1995 to reach 100 stolen bases in just 536 career games in 2024. He also recorded his first career multi-homer game that year, consistently proving his value as a dynamic and integral part of the Cubs’ lineup.