Nico Hoerner Chicago Cubs Signed Rawlings Official Major League Black Leather Baseball

Description

Nico Hoerner is a professional baseball middle infielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball at Stanford University, and was selected by the Cubs in the first round of the 2018 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2019.

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. 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.

After the Cubs signed free agent shortstop Dansby Swanson in December 2022, it was anticipated that Hoerner would move to second base. On January 13th, 2023, Hoerner agreed to a one-year, $2.525 million contract with the Cubs, avoiding salary arbitration. On March 27th, Hoerner signed a three-year, $35 million extension with the Cubs. On May 30th, Hoerner hit a first-pitch home run to lead off a game against the New York Mets. On July 19th, Hoerner hit his first career grand-slam against the Washington Nationals. On August 15th, Hoerner became the first Cub since Tony Campana in 2012 to steal 30 bases in a single season. On September 13th, Hoerner stole his 40th base of the season. He became the first Cub since Juan Pierre in 2006 to do so. He also became the fourth player in the last 100 years for the Cubs to steal 40 bases and have 60 RBIs.

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 2016.

The featured Rawlings Official Major League Black Leather Baseball has been signed by Nico Hoerner in blue. The Baseball includes an official JSA Authentication Services hologram (SS71664) for additional authenticity purposes.