Nico Hoerner

Hoerner attended Head-Royce School in Oakland, California, where he played soccer, basketball, and baseball. He played for the varsity 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.{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2015 |title=MaxPreps names Head-Royce's Nico Hoerner small schools player of the year |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/07/24/maxpreps-names-head-royce-s-nico-hoerner-small-schools-player-of-the-year/ |access-date=May 6, 2018 |website=The Mercury News}} He was not drafted out of high school in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft. Hoerner then enrolled at Stanford University to play college baseball for the Stanford Cardinal.

File:Nico Hoerner (27372214097) (cropped).jpg

In 2016, as a freshman, Hoerner started 53 of Stanford's 54 games at second base, batting .254 with 53 hits, 24 RBIs, and eight doubles. After the season, he played in the Northwoods League where he hit .304 with two home runs, 31 RBIs, 11 stolen bases, and 12 doubles in 257 at-bats.{{Cite web |last=Mastroianni |first=Jake |date=December 12, 2017 |title=2018 CBD TOP 100 COUNTDOWN: 49. NICO HOERNER (STANFORD) |url=http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2017/12/12/2018-cbd-top-100-countdown-49-nico-hoerner-stanford/ |access-date=May 6, 2018 |website=College Baseball Daily}}

As a sophomore at Stanford in 2017, Hoerner switched positions, moving to shortstop. He started all 58 of Stanford's games that year and slashed .307/.357/.406 with 18 doubles, one home run, and 33 RBIs.{{Cite web |last=Dahn |first=Jeff |date=April 20, 2018 |title=Card's Hoerner hails new guard |url=https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=15117 |access-date=May 6, 2018 |publisher=Perfect Game USA}}{{cite web|url=https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2018/01/29/preseason-baseball-honors-for-stanfords-hoerner-bubic|title=Preseason baseball honors for Stanford's Hoerner, Bubic|date=January 30, 2018 |publisher=Palo Alto Online|access-date=May 6, 2018}} Hoerner was named to the All-Pac-12 and All-Pac-12 Defensive teams.{{cite web|url=http://www.capecodtimes.com/sports/20170722/california-connection-brings-stanfords-hoerner-bubic-to-y-d|title=California connection brings Stanford's Hoerner, Bubic to Y-D|publisher=Cape Cod Times|access-date=May 6, 2018 |last1=Goisman |first1=Matt }} That summer, he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Yarmouth-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.{{cite web|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=1115789&seasonid=30631 |title=#4 Nico Hoerner |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=July 20, 2021}}

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.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-nico-hoerner-20180604-story.html|title=Cubs have faith No. 24 pick Nico Hoerner will hit for power: 'He's a guy who is very strong, has very strong hands'|last=Gonzalez|first=Mark|work=Chicago Tribune|date=June 5, 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://pac-12.com/article/2018/05/25/pac-12-announces-baseball-all-conference-honors|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604033714/http://pac-12.com/article/2018/05/25/pac-12-announces-baseball-all-conference-honors|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 4, 2018|title=Pac-12 announces baseball All-Conference honors|publisher=Pac-12 Conference}}

Hoerner was selected 24th overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft and signed for a $2.72 million signing bonus.{{cite news|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-draft-stanford-infielder-nico-hoerner/c-279778688|title=Cubs draft Stanford's Hoerner in first round|last=Muskat|first=Carrie|work=MLB.com|date=June 5, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-agree-to-deal-with-top-pick-nico-hoerner/c-280933436|title=Cubs sign top Draft pick Hoerner|last=Muskat|first=Carrie|work=MLB.com|access-date=June 20, 2018}}

Hoerner made his professional debut with the Arizona League Cubs, was reassigned to the Eugene Emeralds in June, and was promoted to the South Bend Cubs in mid-July.{{Cite web|last=Gonzales|first=Mark|title=Cubs first-round pick Nico Hoerner shines in pro debut; Cole Roederer signs|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-nico-hoerner-cole-roederer-20180627-story.html|access-date=June 13, 2020|website=chicagotribune.com|date=June 27, 2018 }}{{Cite web|last=Gonzales|first=Mark|title=Cubs promote first-round draft pick Nico Hoerner to Class A South Bend|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-nico-hoerner-south-bend-20180712-story.html|access-date=June 13, 2020|website=chicagotribune.com|date=July 12, 2018 }} 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.{{Cite web|title=Cubs' Nico Hoerner: Suffers elbow injury|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cubs-nico-hoerner-suffers-elbow-injury/|access-date=June 13, 2020|website=CBSSports.com|date=July 19, 2018 |language=en}} In 14 games between the three teams prior to his injury, he hit .327 with two home runs, six RBIs, and six stolen bases.{{Cite web|title=Nico Hoerner Stats, Highlights, Bio {{!}} MiLB.com Stats {{!}} The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=663538|access-date=June 13, 2020|website=MiLB.com|language=en}} After the season, he was assigned to the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League.{{Cite web|title=Chicago Cubs 1st Round Pick Nico Hoerner to Play in Arizona Fall League|url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/chicago-baseball/chicago-cubs-nico-hoerner-arizona-fall-league-roster/174471/|access-date=June 13, 2020|website=NBC Chicago|date=August 30, 2018 |language=en-US}}

Hoerner began 2019 with the Tennessee Smokies.{{Cite web|last=Wilson|first=Mike|title=Tennessee Smokies: New manager, Nico Hoerner at shortstop for Chicago Cubs affiliate|url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/2019/04/03/chicago-cubs-top-prospects-tennessee-smokies-nico-hoerner/3342220002/|access-date=June 13, 2020|website=Knoxville News Sentinel|language=en}} He was placed on the injured list on April 27 after being hit on his left wrist, and returned to play in early July.{{Cite web|title=Cubs' Hoerner lands on seven-day IL|url=https://www.milb.com/news/chicago-cubs-prospect-nico-hoerner-lands-on-injured-list-306647400|access-date=June 13, 2020|website=MiLB.com|language=en}} Over seventy games with the Smokies, he slashed .284/.344/.399 with three home runs, 22 RBIs, and eight stolen bases.{{Cite web|date=December 31, 2019|title=2019 top Cubs memories: Nico Hoerner shines in MLB debut|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/2019-top-cubs-memories-nico-hoerner-shines-mlb-debut|access-date=June 13, 2020|website=NBC Sports Chicago}}

{{See also|2019 Chicago Cubs season}}

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.{{cite news|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2019/9/9/20857288/cubs-padres-promote-prospect-nico-hoerner-shortstop|author=Gordon Wittenmyer|title=Cubs promote top prospect Nico Hoerner to fill hole at shortstop|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=September 9, 2019|access-date=September 9, 2019}} He made his major league debut that night versus the San Diego Padres.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/nico-hoerner-has-4-rbis-in-mlb-debut|author=Shaun O'Neill|title='Nico! Nico!' Road crowd lauds 4-RBI MLB debut|website=MLB.com|date=September 10, 2019|access-date=September 10, 2019}} Hoerner got the start at shortstop and went 3-for-5 with four RBIs, including a single in his first at-bat against Cal Quantrill.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-cubs-padres-20190910-sgngkbxkzrcdrfyq22te5knj5u-story.html|author=Mark Gonzales|title=Nico Hoerner collects 3 hits and 4 RBIs in his major-league debut as the Cubs pound the Padres 10-2|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=September 10, 2019|access-date=September 10, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1198665/2019/09/10/nico-hoerner-provides-spark-for-cubs-present-while-giving-them-a-glimpse-of-their-future/|author=Sahadev Sharma|title=Nico Hoerner provides spark for Cubs present while giving them a glimpse of their future|website=The Athletic|date=September 10, 2019|access-date=September 10, 2019}} Over twenty games for the Cubs, Hoerner batted .282 with three home runs and 17 RBIs.{{Cite web|last=Mooney|first=Patrick|title=Nico Hoerner Fits In The Cubs' Plans|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/nico-hoerner-fits-in-the-cubs-plans/|access-date=June 13, 2020|website=www.baseballamerica.com|date=February 3, 2020 }}

{{See also|2020 Chicago Cubs season}}

In a shortened 2020 season for the Cubs, Hoerner slashed .222/.312/.259 with 13 RBIs over 48 games.{{Cite web|url=https://cubbiescrib.com/2020/09/28/cubs-news-odd-2020/|title=Chicago Cubs News: It's been an odd 2020 year in review|date=September 28, 2020}}

{{See also|2021 Chicago Cubs season}}

Hoerner struggled with oblique injuries in 2021 and appeared in only 44 games for the Cubs.{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/cubs-place-nico-hoerner-injured-list-oblique-strain | title=Hoerner (Oblique strain) to IL: 'You just hate it for him' }} Over 149 at-bats, he slashed .302/.382/.369 with ten doubles, 16 RBIs, and five stolen bases.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cubs-nico-hoerner-ruled-out-for-season/ | title=Cubs' Nico Hoerner: Ruled out for season | date=September 30, 2021 }}

{{See also|2022 Chicago Cubs season}}

During the Cubs' Opening Day game against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 7, 2022, Hoerner hit a two-run home run off of reigning NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, the first home run of the 2022 MLB season and Hoerner's first since 2019.{{cite news |last1=Clarke |first1=Mary |title=Cubs Nico Hoerner's glorious Opening Day dinger is the first home run of the 2022 MLB season |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/04/opening-day-cubs-nico-hoerner-first-home-run-2022-mlb-season |access-date=April 7, 2022 |work=For the Win |publisher=USA Today |date=April 7, 2022}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Nico Hoerner Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hoernni01.shtml |access-date=December 21, 2022 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} Hoerner played 133 of those games at shortstop and finished second in the National League in Outs Above Average.{{Cite web |date=October 20, 2022 |title=Ian Happ named Gold Glove finalist, Nico Hoerner misses out {{!}} Chicago Cubs News |url=https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/ian-happ-named-gold-glove-finalist-nico-hoerner-misses-out/ |access-date=December 21, 2022 |website=Marquee Sports Network - Television Home of the Chicago Cubs and Sky |language=en}}

File:Nico Hoerner (9-2-2023).jpg

{{See also|2023 Chicago Cubs season}}

After the Cubs signed free agent shortstop Dansby Swanson in December 2022, it was anticipated that Hoerner would move to second base.{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2022 |title=This is the perfect Chicago Cubs lineup with Dansby Swanson |url=https://dawindycity.com/2022/12/21/perfect-chicago-cubs-lineup-dansby-swanson/ |access-date=December 21, 2022 |website=Da Windy City |language=en-US}} On January 13, 2023, Hoerner agreed to a one-year, $2.525 million contract with the Cubs, avoiding salary arbitration.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/01/2023-mlb-arbitration-tracker.html|title=2023 MLB Arbitration Tracker|access-date=January 13, 2023|website=MLBTradeRumors}} On March 27, Hoerner signed a three-year, $35 million extension with the Cubs.{{Cite web |last=Passan |first=Jeff |author-link=Jeff Passan |date=March 28, 2023 |title=Hoerner, Cubs agree on 3-year, $35 million extension |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35971051/hoerner-cubs-agree-3-year-35-million-extension?platform=amp |access-date=March 28, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} On May 30, Hoerner hit a first-pitch home run to lead off a game against the New York Mets.{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Brett |title=Nico Hoerner Homers on the First Pitch the Cubs See Tonight |url=https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2023/05/30/nico-hoerner-homers-on-the-first-pitch-the-cubs-see-tonight/ |website=Bleacher Nation |date=May 30, 2023 |access-date=September 22, 2023}} On July 19, Hoerner hit his first career grand-slam against the Washington Nationals.{{Cite web |last=Stebbins |first=Tim |date=July 20, 2023 |title=Hoerner slams Cubs to series win vs. Nats |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/nico-hoerner-s-first-career-grand-slam-helps-cubs-sink-nats |access-date=September 6, 2023 |website=MLB.com}} On August 15, Hoerner became the first Cub since Tony Campana in {{mlby|2012}} to steal 30 bases in a single season.{{cite web |last1=Ederwein |first1=Rich |title=Nico Hoerner and other Cubs who've stolen 30+ bases in recent years |url=https://cubbiescrib.com/posts/nico-hoerner-and-other-cubs-who-ve-stolen-30-bases-in-recent-years-01h7y751vkde |website=BVMSports.com |date=August 18, 2023 |access-date=September 6, 2023}} On September 13, Hoerner stole his 40th base of the season.{{cite web |last1=Holland |first1=Sean |title=Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/13/23): Rockies 7, Cubs 3 – Cubs Literally Drop Ball, Lose Series |url=https://www.cubsinsider.com/2023/09/13/chicago-cubs-score-and-recap-9-13-23-rockies-7-cubs-3-cubs-literally-drop-ball-lose-series/ |website=CubsInsider.com |date=September 14, 2023 |access-date=September 14, 2023}} He became the first Cub since Juan Pierre in {{mlby|2006}} to do so.{{cite web |last1=Montemurro |first1=Meghan |title=Nico Hoerner's base-stealing prowess is a weapon for the Chicago Cubs: 'It's a real skill,' the 2nd baseman says |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-chicago-cubs-nico-hoerner-steals-20230915-at6dlmzik5duhbfjyofkpgdtvy-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |date=September 15, 2023 |access-date=September 22, 2023}} He also became the fourth player in the last 100 years for the Cubs to steal 40 bases and have 60 RBIs.{{cite web |last1=Wakai |first1=Brad |title=Chicago Cubs Young Star Makes Franchise History |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/cubs/news/chicago-cubs-young-star-makes-franchise-history-brad9 |website=FanNation |date=September 14, 2023 |access-date=November 8, 2023}}

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 the Gold 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 since Joe Panik and Brandon Crawford in {{MLBY|2016}}.{{cite web | last=Bastian | first=Jordan | title=Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, Ian Happ win Gold Glove Award | website=MLB.com | date=November 6, 2023 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/dansby-swanson-nico-hoerner-ian-happ-win-gold-glove-award | access-date=December 20, 2024}}

Hoerner played in 151 games for the Cubs in 2024, slashing .273/.335/.373 with seven home runs, 48 RBI, and 31 stolen bases.{{Cite web |title=Nico Hoerner 2024 Batting Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=hoernni01&t=b&year=2024 |access-date=October 25, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} On October 11, 2024, Hoerner underwent flexor tendon surgery.{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Darragh |date=October 21, 2024 |title=Nico Hoerner Undergoes Flexor Tendon Surgery |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/10/nico-hoerner-undergoes-flexor-tendon-surgery.html |access-date=October 25, 2024 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}

His parents, Fred Hoerner and Keila Diehl, are both educators. Fred has retired and Keila works for the University of California, Berkeley. Hoerner has one sibling, a sister, named Annika.{{cite web | last=Thapa | first=Vandana | title=Nico Hoerner Parents Fred And Kella Hoerner- Family Background | website=Players Bio | date=June 20, 2023 | url=https://playersbio.com/nico-hoerner-parents-fred-and-keila-diehl-family-background/ | access-date=December 26, 2024}} He is dating Julia DiTosto, whom he met at Stanford University when she was playing field hockey.{{cite web |last1=Chauhan |first1=Ichchha |title=Nico Hoerner Girlfriend Julia DiTosto Is Passionate About Women's Reproductive Health |url=https://mlbrun.com/nico-hoerner-girlfriend#:~:text=Nico%20Hoerner%20and%20Julia%20DiTosto%20have,a%20relationship%20for%20seven%20years. |website=MLBRun.com |access-date=September 12, 2023}}

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