| Nico Hoerner | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Hoerner with theIowa Cubs in 2021 | |
| Chicago Cubs – No. 2 | |
| Second baseman /Shortstop | |
| Born: (1997-05-13)May 13, 1997 (age 27) Oakland, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 9, 2019, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| MLB statistics (through March 31, 2025) | |
| Batting average | .278 |
| Home runs | 29 |
| Runs batted in | 219 |
| Stolen bases | 102 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Nicholas Mackie "Nico" Hoerner (born May 13, 1997) is an American professionalbaseballmiddle infielder for theChicago Cubs ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He playedcollege baseball atStanford University, and was selected by the Cubs in the first round of the2018 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in2019.
Hoerner attendedHead-Royce School inOakland, California, where he played soccer, basketball, and baseball. He played for thevarsity baseball team all four years of high school and in 2015, as a senior, batted .517 with six home runs, 30 RBIs, and 40 runs scored.[1] He was not drafted out of high school in the2015 Major League Baseball draft. Hoerner then enrolled atStanford University to playcollege baseball for theStanford Cardinal.
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In 2016, as a freshman, Hoerner started 53 of Stanford's 54 games atsecond base, batting .254 with 53 hits, 24 RBIs, and eight doubles. After the season, he played in theNorthwoods League where he hit .304 with two home runs, 31 RBIs, 11 stolen bases, and 12 doubles in 257at-bats.[2]
As a sophomore at Stanford in 2017, Hoerner switched positions, moving toshortstop. He started all 58 of Stanford's games that year and slashed .307/.357/.406 with 18 doubles, one home run, and 33 RBIs.[3][4] Hoerner was named to the All-Pac-12 and All-Pac-12 Defensive teams.[5] That summer, he played in theCape Cod Baseball League with theYarmouth-Dennis Red Sox where he batted .301 with six home runs, 30 RBIs, 16 stolen bases and eight doubles, and was named a league all-star.[2][6]
As a junior in 2018, Hoerner batted .345 with two home runs, 40 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases and was named to the All-Pac-12 team for the second straight year.[7][8]
Hoerner was selected 24th overall by theChicago Cubs in the2018 Major League Baseball draft and signed for a $2.72 millionsigning bonus.[9][10]
Hoerner made his professional debut with theArizona League Cubs, was reassigned to theEugene Emeralds in June, and was promoted to theSouth Bend Cubs in mid-July.[11][12] However, he was placed on the disabled list on July 18 with a strained ligament in his left elbow, and was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season.[13] In 14 games between the three teams prior to his injury, he hit .327 with two home runs, six RBIs, and six stolen bases.[14] After the season, he was assigned to theMesa Solar Sox of theArizona Fall League.[15]
Hoerner began 2019 with theTennessee Smokies.[16] He was placed on theinjured list on April 27 after being hit on his left wrist, and returned to play in early July.[17] Over seventy games with the Smokies, he slashed .284/.344/.399 with three home runs, 22 RBIs, and eight stolen bases.[18]
Chicago selected Hoerner's contract and promoted him to the major leagues on September 9, 2019, making him the first player from his draft class to make it to the majors.[19] He made his major league debut that night versus theSan Diego Padres.[20] Hoerner got the start at shortstop and went 3-for-5 with four RBIs, including a single in his first at-bat againstCal Quantrill.[21][22] Over twenty games for the Cubs, Hoerner batted .282 with three home runs and 17 RBIs.[23]
In a shortened 2020 season for the Cubs, Hoerner slashed .222/.312/.259 with 13 RBIs over 48 games.[24]
Hoerner struggled with oblique injuries in 2021 and appeared in only 44 games for the Cubs.[25] Over 149at-bats, he slashed .302/.382/.369 with ten doubles, 16 RBIs, and five stolen bases.[26]
During the Cubs'Opening Day game against theMilwaukee Brewers on April 7, 2022, Hoerner hit a two-run home run off of reigningNL Cy Young winnerCorbin Burnes, the first home run of the2022 MLB season and Hoerner's first since 2019.[27] Hoerner had a much improved 2022 season, missing far fewer games, appearing in 135. He made 517 plate appearances while slashing .281/.327/.410 with 22 doubles, ten homers, and 55 RBIs.[28] Hoerner played 133 of those games at shortstop and finished second in the National League in Outs Above Average.[29]
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After the Cubs signed free agent shortstopDansby Swanson in December 2022, it was anticipated that Hoerner would move to second base.[30] On January 13, 2023, Hoerner agreed to a one-year, $2.525 million contract with the Cubs, avoiding salary arbitration.[31] On March 27, Hoerner signed a three-year, $35 million extension with the Cubs.[32] On May 30, Hoerner hit a first-pitch home run to lead off a game against theNew York Mets.[33] On July 19, Hoerner hit his first career grand-slam against theWashington Nationals.[34] On August 15, Hoerner became the first Cub sinceTony Campana in2012 to steal 30 bases in a single season.[35] On September 13, Hoerner stole his 40th base of the season.[36] He became the first Cub sinceJuan Pierre in2006 to do so.[37] He also became the fourth player in the last 100 years for the Cubs to steal 40 bases and have 60 RBIs.[38]
Hoerner played in 150 games during the 2023 season, slashing .283/.346/.383 with nine home runs, 68 RBIs, 98 runs scored, and 43 stolen bases. He also finished first in assists with 411. On November 5, Hoerner was awarded theGold Glove Award at second base. With teammate Dansby Swanson winning the award at shortstop, they became the 13th middle-infield duo to win the award and the first sinceJoe Panik andBrandon Crawford in2016.[39]
Hoerner played in 151 games for the Cubs in 2024, slashing .273/.335/.373 with seven home runs, 48 RBI, and 31 stolen bases.[40] On October 11, 2024, Hoerner underwent flexor tendon surgery.[41]
His parents, Fred Hoerner and Keila Diehl, are both educators. Fred has retired and Keila works for theUniversity of California, Berkeley. Hoerner has one sibling, a sister, named Annika.[42] He is dating Julia DiTosto, whom he met at theStanford University when she was playingfield hockey.[43]