NICO HOERNER NEWS

Gallo's early power surge brings hope for big 2021 season

Joey Gallo has hit five homers in his first seven spring training games, giving the Texas Rangers hope that the slugger can bounce back from a tough 2020 season

MARCH 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Off to hot start Hoerner went 2-for-2 with a solo home run and two RBI in Friday's Cactus League game against Cleveland.

Impact Hoerner is off to a great start this spring, as he's now 7-for-8 with three extra-base hits and a steal so far in Cactus League action. The 23-year-old is competing with David Bote, Ildemaro Vargas and potentially the newly added Eric Sogard for playing time at second base, so Hoerner can really help himself out if he keeps this up.

MARCH 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Second to none: Hoerner stays hot in spring MESA, Ariz. -- After watching another multi-hit performance from Nico Hoerner on Friday afternoon, Cubs pitcher Alec Mills let out a laugh w...

MARCH 6, 2021 • MLB.COM

Ohtani fans 5 in return to mound; Harper HR on 1st swing

Shohei Ohtani figured he’d be careful in his return to the mound after two injury-spoiled seasons

MARCH 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cubs notes: Nico Hoerner decision, Pedro Strop energy, a trade 'what if,' more Nico Hoerner's athleticism and instincts would be a constant at second base, which is the only real job battle on the position-player side.

MARCH 4, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Two hits Tuesday Hoerner made his Cactus League debut Tuesday and went 2-for-3 with a double in a 3-2 win over the Royals.

Impact Hoerner is competing with David Bote and Ildemaro Vargas for playing time at second base, so it's important for him to get off to a good start. The 23-year-old probably has the most upside of the three players, but the Cubs may also elect to get him a little more seasoning at the Triple-A level to begin the campaign.

MARCH 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Hoerner could be part of the bridge from the current Chicago Cubs to the future version. But to win the 2nd base job, he’ll need to hit better than he did in 2020. Nico Hoerner went all-in for his offseason preparation, spending the entire winter in Chicago so he could use the Cubs’ available resources....

FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Could begin in minors Hoerner will compete for the starting job at second base this spring, though he's also a candidate to begin the year at Triple-A Iowa, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Hoerner and David Bote are the top candidates for the everyday job at second, and whoever loses that battle may end up serving as a utility infielder. However, if Hoerner loses out, the organization may decide to get him regular at-bats at Triple-A Iowa rather than have him play sporadically in the majors, with Ildemaro Vargas likely taking the utility role in that scenario. Hoerner disappointed with a .571 OPS in 2020, but the 23-year-old still has plenty of potential and could seize a prominent role with a strong spring.

FEBRUARY 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Darvish, five homers lead Cubs past fading White Sox 10-0

Yu Darvish pitched seven strong innings for his NL-leading eighth win, Willson Contreras homered twice and the Chicago Cubs moved to the brink of clinching the NL Central title by...

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not in Monday's lineup Hoerner is not starting Monday against the Pirates.

Impact Hoerner has just two hits in his last seven games, part of a season in which he's hitting a rather disappointing .232/.310/.273. Jason Kipnis starts ahead of him at second base for the second game in a row.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Padres win, back in playoffs for 1st time in 14 years

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sitting Sunday Hoerner is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

Impact Hoerner will retreat to the bench after starting in six of the Cubs' last eight games. He went 4-for-17 over that stretch, bringing his season-long slash line to .235/.313/.276 in 112 plate appearances. Jason Kipnis will spell Hoerner at the keystone in the series finale.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

4 takeaways from Reds-Cubs series, including Willson Contreras’ timely hitting and need to play Nico Hoerner more frequently The recent hitting of Willson Contreras has masked the struggles of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez, and Chicago Cubs second base...

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Plates three runs Hoerner went 2-for-4 with a double, a stolen base, a run scored and three RBI in a victory versus Cincinnati on Thursday.

Impact Hoerner got the Cubs on the board in the fourth inning with a two-run double and brought home another score with an RBI fielder's choice in the fifth. Despite getting inconsistent playing time, the 23-year-old has enjoyed a strong September, hitting .375 (6-for-16) with three RBI.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Hoerner, Happ, bullpen lead Cubs past Reds 8-5

Willson Contreras had four hits to tie a career high, rookie Nico Hoerner added three RBIs and the Chicago Cubs overcame an early three-run deficit to top Sonny Gray and the Cincin...

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Singer takes no-hitter into 8th as Royals trounce Indians

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

O'Neill, DeJong HR, Cardinals sweep doubleheader from Cubs

Tyler O’Neill and Paul DeJong homered, five St. Louis pitchers combined on a three-hitter and the Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 5-1 to sweep a doubleheader

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Starting first game Hoerner is starting at second base and batting ninth in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Impact Jason Kipnis is on the bench for the first game Saturday, opening up the keystone for Hoerner. Kipnis has been scuffling a bit lately, so Hoerner could earn more regular playing time if he gets hot at the plate. So far this season, the 23-year-old is slashing .230/.322/.257 in 31 games.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Draws another start Hoerner will start at second base and will bat ninth Wednesday against the Pirates.

Impact Hoerner will stick in the lineup for the fourth time in five games, but Kris Bryant's (wrist) return from the injured list Tuesday could make it difficult for the 23-year-old to keep picking up regular starts. Assuming the Cubs lean on Bryant as their everyday third baseman, Hoerner would have to contend with Jason Kipnis and David Bote for reps at the keystone.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Happ spoils Hayes' debut, leads Cubs past Pirates 8-7

Ian Happ singled home Nico Hoerner in the top of the 11th to lead the Chicago Cubs to an 8-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chapman's 1st save seals Yankees' 5-3 win over Tampa Bay

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Schwarber homers twice as Cubs pound Reds 10-1

Chicago’s starting outfield of Kyle Schwarber, Jason Heyward and Ian Happ each homered twice, and the Cubs pounded the Cincinnati Reds 10-1 for a split of their four-game series

AUGUST 30, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Records three hits Wednesday Hoerner went 3-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 7-6 loss to the Tigers.

Impact Hoerner has fallen behind Jason Kipnis in the second base pecking order at the moment, but the former is still a plenty capable hitter. The 23-year-old has a bright future in Chicago, and he could certainly earn more playing time this season if he gets hot and Kipnis falls into a slump.

AUGUST 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Tigers beat Cubs 7-6; Heyward sits out amid player protests

Niko Goodrum hit a two-run double to cap Detroit’s five-run sixth inning, and the Tigers rallied past the Chicago Cubs 7-6

AUGUST 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Perez homer carries AL East-leading Rays past Orioles 4-3

AUGUST 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS