Cubs Prospect Nico Hoerner is on the Very Fast Track, Will Open Season at AA

Most of the Cubs Minor League pundits are split into two camps at the moment: (1) Team Nico Hoerner is the Best Prospect in the Cubs Organization and (2) Team Miguel Amaya is the Best Prospect in the Cubs Organization … we’re, uh, working on better names.

It doesn’t really matter which guy is the top-dog right now – they’re both good, so whatever – but there are some notable difference between the two. Although both seem likely to contribute a quality bat at the big league level when they get there, Amaya, the catcher, plays a more important defensive position. With Hoerner currently manning the second-most important defensive position on the field, shortstop, the difference isn’t huge, but the gap will widen, if and when he’s forced to second base.

On the other hand, Hoerner is a year older than Amaya, and thanks to his college days, has a little more overall polish at the dish. And with today’s news, he’s also apparently further along in his development: Nico Hoerner is starting the year out at Double-A Tennessee!

Evan Altman of Cubs Insider had it first:

And I can confirm that report. Bryan’s been guessing this would happen for a while now, so good on him, too.

After being drafted just last June, Hoerner is starting out his first full professional season at the Double-A level. That is an incredibly fast track, reminiscent of Kyle Schwarber and Kris Bryant, each of whom, you’ll note, were first-round draft picks out of college, known for their polished approaches at the plate.

  • Bryant: Drafted June 2013, started out the 2014 season at Double-A, reached the Majors by 2015.
  • Schwarber: Drafted June 2014, started out the 2015 season at Double-A, reached the Majors by 2015 (ungodly fast-track)
  • Happ: Drafted June 2015, started the 2016 season out at High-A, but reached Double-A by the end of the year and was in the Majors by 2017 (similar to Bryant’s pace)
  • Hoerner: Drafted June 2018, started the 2019 season out at Double-A
  • Obviously, given that both Schwarber *and* Happ were forced back into the Minors at one point, means that this isn’t some fool proof plan, but I just want to show you how accelerated this pace really is.

    And it’s worth pointing out: each of those three players above – Bryant, Schwarber, Happ – were drafted in the top-10 of their draft. Hoerner, by contrast, was a mid top-20s pick. That’s a big difference and another feather in his cap, vis a vis the Cubs’ opinion. And I suppose it’s also worth noting that despite getting some make-up time in the AFL, Hoerner’s 2018 season was cut short by injury. He has almost no professional experience at this point, and yet he’s starting his first full year just a couple clicks away from the big leagues.

    I don’t expect to see Hoerner in the big leagues this season, but I also want to be clear: it’s a possibility. If, by some miracle, he absolutely destroys Double-A pitching AND finds time to prove himself at Triple-A AND the Cubs are competitive AND they need someone to play second base, because something happens to more than one of Addison Russell, Ian Happ, Daniel Descalso, and Ben Zobrist, then Hoerner might get the call. It’s extremely unlikely – 2020 seems like his year – but it’s not strictly impossible once a guy gets to Double-A.

    Given what’s happened with Schwarber and Happ, I’d almost prefer the Cubs to slow play it, no matter the circumstances. In any case, the Cubs clearly feel quite good about Hoerner and his abilities, because this is the sort of accelerated plan they save for very few prospects. Exciting.

    written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

    more cubs news

    The First Chicago Cubs Lineup of the Year is Here!

    *SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

    The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

    I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

    Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

    ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

    There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

    I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

    Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

    Here’s What I’m Betting on the Cubs for Opening Day

    I get it. Sports betting isn't for everyone — like, say, the interpreter for an international baseball superstar — but some of us quite enjoy it! If you are one of those people, this article is for you. Below, I'm...

    WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

    The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

    Latest News

    Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

    NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

    Braves vs. Phillies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Ronald Acuna Jr. and the Atlanta Braves take on Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia Phillies in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch Atlanta...

    Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    On Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks, and Jonas Valančiūnas' 3-pointer prop for this clash requires just one trey.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksJonas Valanciunas' over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

    Top 25 College Basketball Picks and Best Bets: March 28

    The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones hit the court in one of four games on the college basketball slate on Thursday that include a ranked team.How to Bet on Top 25 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Top 25 Games for...

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Arizona Diamondbacks look to start their season with a win as home favorites (-226) in a season-opening matchup with the Colorado Rockies. First pitch is on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET on ARID, live from Chase Field.Arizona's Zac Gallen...

    Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Seattle Mariners look to start their season with a win as home favorites (-155) in a season-opening matchup with the Boston Red Sox. First pitch is on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET on NESN, live from T-Mobile Park.Luis Castillo...

    Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Cleveland Guardians begin their season as -156 favorites in a road tilt against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA.Cleveland's Shane Bieber gets the start, and he'll go against Oakland's Alex Wood.Guardians vs. Athletics...

    Damian Lillard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    Will Damian Lillard make four 3-pointers when the Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Damian Lillard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDamian Lillard's over/under for...

    Brook Lopez Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, Brook Lopez needs to make two from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Milwaukee Bucks meet the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET.Brook Lopez's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansBrook Lopez's...

    more cubs news