Coming into 2022, Chicago Cubs; 2018 first round selection Nico Hoerner had played Major League Baseball for three seasons. Yet, he had only 378 plate appearances to his name. A mix of poor play and injuries had kept him inconsistent and out of the lineup.
It wasn't yet time to officially label him a bust, but it was getting close.
Midseason 2021, manager David Ross said of Hoerner in an article from Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune, that the former top prospect, "just needs to come back and be himself. I don’t think any one person is going to be that type of savior."
Hoerner may have been putting too much pressure on himself to succeed. Especially with injuries keeping him out of the lineup, the 24-year-old was never able to find a groove.
To that point in his career, Hoerner slashed .273/.337/.362. Since Ross' quotes, Hoerner is slashing .283/.339/.388. It's not a huge improvement, but it's noticeable. Hoerner has played with more confidence now that he finds himself in the everyday lineup.
More importantly, his consistent presence on the field has allowed his defensive splendor to ever ever more brightly.
Before 2022, Hoerner played all over the diamond in an attempt to get him more plate appearances in lieu of Javy Báez playing shortstop. Hoerner spend 468 1/3 innings at second base, another 40 1/3 at third base and even 32 1/3 innings in the outfield. But every single one of his starts in 2022 has come at shortstop, and for good reason.
Hoerner ranks 99th percentile in outs above average for all Major League players, nearly every single one of those positions coming at the most demanding spot on the diamond.
Hoerner has accrued 14 OAA and 13 defensive runs saved. Both of those numbers border on unreasonable as early as August. Combined with his solid hitting ability, Hoerner is far and away the Cubs' most valuable player by WAR in 2022 with 4.1.
The Cubs have found the first superstar of their next core.
Only three players in all MLB eclipse Hoerner's OAA total, the St. Louis Cardinals' Nolan Arenado and Tommy Edman, as well as the Detroit Tigers' Johnathan Scoop.
Aside from advanced defensive metrics, unreliable in small sample soizes, the eye test does not fail Hoerner either.
Hoerner may have some development left to do at the plate. His home run totals are finally showing improvement after several years bottoming out.
Nevertheless the Cubs have the foundation of a core in Nico Hoerner. Now it's time to offer him an extension and build around their newest superstar.
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