The Nico Hoerner Hype Train Isn't Slowing Down

Nico Hoerner made his first spring training start with the Cubs last week and he went 3-for-3, with a triple, RBI and a run scored. He reached base a fourth time in that game against the Rockies, as he was hit by a pitch. It was a great first impression around some of the big leaguers, but he the number two ranked prospect in the Cubs minor league system was just getting started. On Saturday, Hoerner made the start at shortstop against the Angels. He walked in his first plate appearance and then he hit a home run the next time he went to the plate. Not bad for the first round pick, but again, he wasn't done. Hoerner ended up reaching base eight straight times, as he followed the home run with another HBP and then in his fourth plate appearance against the Angels Hoerner doubled.

The hype train is not slowing down for the Cubs prospect. Via MLB.com.

While the injury ended Hoerner’s pro debut after just 14 games, he returned fully healthy in time for the Arizona Fall League and impressed as one of its breakout stars, producing a .337/.362/.506 line over 21 games against far better competition than at any point in his career. To many, the 21-year-old looked like a hitter fresh off of a full season in Double-A, one perhaps on the cusp on the Major Leagues. “Nico is awesome,” said Cubs farm director Jaron Madison. "I think the most impressive thing about him is the kid -- the makeup and the person he is. He’s a team guy, a leader, and he connects really well with his teammates. You don’t normally get that from guys who go in the first round.”

Hoerner is in minor-league camp this spring training for the Cubs and despite him refusing to make outs, he's still got some ways to go before he gets called up to the big leagues. Right now, the biggest question is where Hoerner will start the 2019 season in the minors. Again, he only played 14 minor league games in 2018 and then played 21 games in the Arizona Fall League. Hoerner's bat has certainly lived up to his projection so far, but how aggressive will the Cubs be with him in their system? Hoerner still hasn't played a game at Myrtle Beach, the Advanced A-Ball affiliate for the Cubs. However, it seems as though the Cubs want to keep Hoerner at shortstop as long as possible and they already have another promising prospect in Aramis Ademan penciled in as the shortstop at Myrtle Beach for 2019.

Could it be that Hoerner makes the jump up to Double-A to begin his first full year of professional ball? If the Cubs do make the decision, then you could definitely see a scenario where he makes his MLB debut as soon as 2019, if he continues to hit. So far, Hoerner isn't showing any signs of slowing down.