OK. So this would be extremely surprising to me, given the typical timeline for these things and the late stage of the season, but, on the other hand, it sure would be a big-time example of believing in URGENCY.
I *think* Paul Sullivan is reporting that Nico Hoerner, the Cubs’ top prospect to many and their first rounder from 2018, is coming up to fill in at shortstop:
With Baez out and Addison beaned, look for Cubs to call up Nico Hoerner to help fill gap at short. Cubs' top pick last year, Nico hit .284 at Double-A Tenn.
— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) September 9, 2019
There’s a chance Sullivan is just speculating, but the phrasing there – and the fact that it’s first thing in the morning as the team is traveling – suggests it really is happening. If so, the Cubs will have to create another spot on the 40-man for Hoerner, AND then they’ll have to carry him on the 40-man all offseason (not an insignificant consideration, though obviously not one you worry about if you think he’s critically important right now).
Hoerner, 22, was the Cubs’ first rounder last year, and impressed so much out of the gate that he was sent to the Arizona Fall League last year, where he raked. From there, he looked uncommonly mature in Spring Training, and was given a challenging assignment to open his first full professional season. There, at AA, he hit .284/.344/.399 (117 wRC+), though he missed a big chunk in the middle of the year with a broken wrist following a HBP. He was set to head to the Arizona Fall League again after this season.
This is extremely wild, and I’ll digest more fully if and when it happens.
UPDATE: Here’s confirmation from Jon Heyman that this holy is actually crap happening:
Nico Hoerner has been called up by Cubs @PWSullivan 1st mentioned likelihood
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) September 9, 2019