Not a 2nd too soon
Hoerner eyes second-base job while focusing on his development
MESA, Ariz. — After missing a full year of college to devote his full-time attention to a professional baseball career, Nico Hoerner realized he was too close to earning his bachelor’s degree not to fulfill his requirements.
“It’s something that was kind of hanging over my head, and I didn’t know when I was going to get to do,” said Hoerner, 22, who returned to Stanford in the fall to earn his American Studies degree. “It was a lot easier to get it done when there were still people I know.
“If you’re the 28-year-old in the classroom, it’s not as fun. I can still connect a little bit.”
Hoerner doesn’t feel rushed in his effort to earn the Cubs’ second-base job, realizing that his promotion to the majors in September was accelerated because of injuries to Javier Baez and Addison Russell and that he hasn’t played a full pro season because of injuries.
“I think my perspective as a player is more long term in development,” Hoerner said Saturday near the end of a voluntary workout at the Cubs’ spring training complex. “I want to be on the opening-day roster and be that guy, but I don’t think it helps me that much as a player to make that shortterm goal because there are so many factors outside of what I can control. So I’ll keep that development (theme) and I think I’ll give myself a good chance that way.”
With the Cubs desperately trying to remain in contention for a playoff berth, Hoerner was promoted to the majors for the first time Sept. 9 — one week after his season with
Double-A Tennessee ended.
Despite no seasoning in Triple A, Hoerner played near-flawless baseball during a 20-game stretch, hitting .282 while striking out in only 13.4% of his 82 plate appearances and committing two errors in 71 chances at shortstop.
The Cubs, however, are careful not to guarantee the second-base job to Hoerner with a healthy Baez returning to shortstop.
They’re trying to load up on left-handed-hitting second-base candidates, recently contacting former Indians All-Star Jason Kipnis two months after signing Carlos Asuaje and having Daniel Descalso under contract at $2.5 million.
David Bote and Hernan Perez also are in the mix.
“I try to stay away from all that stuff,” Hoerner said of the Cubs’ pursuit of upgrades. “They’re going to do what they feel gives them the best chance to help the team win, and I’m going to do the same, and hopefully they’ll line up.”
Besides, Hoerner knows he has room for improvement. After signing a $2.724 million bonus, he played in only 14 games in 2018 because of a ligament strain in his left elbow after diving for a grounder with Class-A South Bend.
After an impressive 2019 spring training as a nonroster invitee that carried over to a .300 start with Tennessee, Hoerner missed two months because of a hairline fracture of his left wrist suffered in April.
Hoerner appears stronger than his listed 5-foot-11, 200pound frame, but he said he devoted much more to his offseason training thanks to his three-week stint in the majors.
“It’s nice to have an offseason where the stuff I was working on is based on what I experienced and not just what I think the major leagues are like.” Hoerner said. “I know it’s a small sample size. I definitely had a good sense of things that I did well and things that I can really work on, and that’s a good place to start.”
The added muscle shouldn’t suggest that improving his power numbers was his point of emphasis this winter.
“From life off the field to preparation before the game, the at-bats themselves,” said Hoerner, who trained at Stanford with several of his former teammates. “Just a general approach to the whole thing, because it is different (than college or the minor leagues).
“I feel stronger. Most guys feel like doing that. I feel like I’m in a good spot to start the year.”
Hoerner said he arrived nearly two weeks ahead of the first full-squad workout to get into a routine and get acclimated to the majorleague staff.
“(I’ve) got to get everything going before the madness starts,” Hoerner said.