MESA, Ariz. (670 The Score) – With MLB Opening Day looming on April 7, there are still a few jobs to be won in Cubs camp.
That includes at shortstop, where 24-year-old Nico Hoerner is trying to win the everyday job outright rather than split it with others. The Cubs also recently signed veteran shortstop Andrelton Simmons, a defensive specialist who’s competing for playing time as well.
Hoerner had an injury-plagued 2021 season, hitting .302 with no homers, 16 RBIs and a .751 OPS in just 44 games. While praising Hoerner’s abilities and potential, the Cubs still haven’t committed to him as their starting shortstop quite yet. Manager David Ross wants the competition of spring training to be part of the natural flow.
"I don't think Nico has anything to prove,” Ross said. “The way I look at our roster is we have a ton of flexibility. I don't think off the top of my head there is anything to win. Everybody is going to contribute because we have a lot of talent. Hoerner is a big part of that, and he will play a lot of shortstop.”
Hoerner has plenty of confidence despite a rough 2021 season, when he heard whispers that bulking up contributed to his health issues.
“The goal both last year and 2020 was to get stronger and more explosive,” Hoerner said. “I do understand that I am not valuable unless I can stay on the field. I knew that last year, and it was a challenging year. However, you get information from a full year and my relationships in the training room and on the field are better because of that. We are all constantly learning as a group.”
Grabbing the full-time starting shortstop job is Hoerner’s goal.
“I am ready to play shortstop every day,” Hoerner said. “My mind is on that goal, but at the same time my main objective is being a part of this team and helping it win. I trust the staff and (Ross) to put out there the team they think can help us win every day. Rossy does an incredible job of communicating, and that will be a big part of our doing well. Again for my own part, I will be prepared for playing in other places too. Projecting out what may occur the next six months is nothing I will attempt to predict.”
Cubs second baseman Nick Madrigal, who was acquired in a trade with the White Sox last season, is looking forward to creating a successful combination with Hoerner up the middle, as the two have known each other for a long time.
"We go back to before the high school days,” Madrigal said. "We played in tournament baseball games when we were 9 to 11 years old. It's nice to be on the same team in the majors. I think it's very fortunate for us. We both respect each other's games. He was always one of the best players around. He pitched and threw hard off of the mound. He hit long home runs. We played together and formed a friendship along the way. It’s going to be great to be here playing for the Cubs.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.