Nicholas Mackie Hoerner Bio
Nicholas Mackie Hoerner is an American professional baseball middle infielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. 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 and has developed into one of the National League’s premier middle infielders, earning Gold Glove Awards at second base in both 2023 and 2025. Known for his exceptional defensive range and basestealing ability, Hoerner became the first Cub in nearly two decades to record 40 stolen bases and 60 RBIs in a single season. He signed a landmark six-year, $141 million extension with the Cubs in March 2026.
Early Life and Background
Nico Hoerner was born on May 13, 1997, in the San Francisco Bay Area. He grew up in Oakland, California, where his parents, Fred Hoerner and Keila Diehl, both worked as educators. His father has since retired while his mother works for the University of California, Berkeley. Hoerner has one sibling, a sister named Annika. His upbringing in the Bay Area naturally fostered his passion for baseball, as he grew up cheering for the Oakland Athletics.
Hoerner attended the Head-Royce School in Oakland, where he excelled across multiple sports including soccer, basketball, and baseball. He played four years of varsity baseball and turned in an outstanding senior season in 2015, hitting .517 with six home runs, 30 RBIs, and 40 runs scored. Despite these impressive numbers, he went undrafted out of high school in the 2015 MLB Draft, prompting him to pursue his baseball career at Stanford University.
Path to Professional Baseball
Hoerner enrolled at Stanford University in 2015 to play college baseball for the Stanford Cardinal. As a freshman in 2016, he started 53 of Stanford’s 54 games at second base, batting .254 with 53 hits, 24 RBIs, and eight doubles. He spent his first summer playing for the Madison Mallards in the Northwoods League, where he hit .304 with two home runs, 31 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases in 257 at-bats.
Moving to shortstop as a sophomore in 2017, Hoerner started all 58 games and improved his slash line to .307/.357/.406 with 18 doubles, one home run, and 33 RBIs. He earned All-Pac-12 and All-Pac-12 Defensive team honors that year. That summer in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, he batted .301 with six home runs and 30 RBIs, being named a league all-star. His junior season in 2018 saw him bat .345 with two home runs, 40 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases, earning All-Pac-12 honors for the second consecutive year.
Nicholas Mackie Hoerner Career
Draft and Minor Leagues
Hoerner was selected 24th overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2018 MLB Draft and signed for a $2.72 million signing bonus. He made his professional debut with the Arizona League Cubs before moving to the Eugene Emeralds in June and the South Bend Cubs in mid-July. However, his season ended early due to a strained ligament in his left elbow. In 14 games across three teams, he hit .327 with two home runs, six RBIs, and six stolen bases. After the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League with the Mesa Solar Sox.
Hoerner began 2019 with the Tennessee Smokies but missed significant time after being hit on the left wrist in April. He returned in July and played 70 games with a .284/.344/.399 slash line, three home runs, 22 RBIs, and eight stolen bases.
Chicago Cubs Breakthrough (2019–2022)
Chicago selected Hoerner’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues on September 9, 2019, making him the first player from his draft class to reach the majors. He made his major league debut that night against the San Diego Padres. Hoerner got the start at shortstop and went 3-for-5 with four RBIs, including a single in his first at-bat against Cal Quantrill. Over 20 games for the Cubs that year, he batted .282 with three home runs and 17 RBIs.
In a shortened 2020 season, Hoerner slashed .222/.312/.259 with 13 RBIs over 48 games. He struggled with oblique injuries in 2021 and appeared in only 44 games, though he still managed a .302/.382/.369 slash line with ten doubles, 16 RBIs, and five stolen bases. During the Cubs’ Opening Day game against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 7, 2022, Hoerner hit a two-run home run off reigning NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, the first home run of the 2022 MLB season and his first since 2019. He had a much improved 2022 season, appearing in 135 games and slashing .281/.327/.410 with 22 doubles, ten homers, and 55 RBIs. He finished second in the National League in Outs Above Average.
Chicago Cubs Era (2023–Present)
After the Cubs signed free agent shortstop Dansby Swanson in December 2022, Hoerner transitioned to second base. On January 13, 2023, he agreed to a one-year, $2.525 million contract with the Cubs, avoiding salary arbitration. On March 27, Hoerner signed a three-year, $35 million extension with the Cubs. He responded with an exceptional 2023 season, playing 150 games and slashing .283/.346/.383 with nine home runs, 68 RBIs, 98 runs scored, and 43 stolen bases. He led the majors with 411 assists. On November 5, Hoerner was awarded his first Gold Glove Award at second base. With teammate Dansby Swanson winning at shortstop, they became the 13th middle-infield duo to win the award in the same year and the first since 2016.
Hoerner played 151 games for the Cubs in 2024, slashing .273/.335/.373 with seven home runs, 48 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases. On October 11, 2024, he underwent flexor tendon surgery. He returned in 2025 to play 156 games, slashing .297/.345/.394 with seven home runs, 61 RBIs, and 29 stolen bases. On November 2, 2025, he was awarded his second career Gold Glove Award for National League second basemen. On March 27, 2026, Hoerner agreed to a six-year, $141 million contract extension with the Cubs.
Defensive Excellence and Strengths
Hoerner has established himself as one of the premier defensive second basemen in the National League. His exceptional range, quick hands, and strong throwing arm make him a reliable presence up the middle. He has led the league in assists and consistently ranks among the leaders in Outs Above Average. His basestealing ability adds another dimension to his game, as he became the first Cub since 2012 to steal 30 bases in a single season and later joined an elite group of Cubs to record 40 steals. Offensively, he is a contact-oriented hitter with gap power who uses the entire field.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hoerner’s 2023 season featured several memorable moments, including a first-pitch home run to lead off a game against the New York Mets on May 30 and his first career grand slam against the Washington Nationals on July 19. He became the first Cub since 2012 to steal 30 bases in a season and later reached 40 stolen bases, becoming the first Cub since 2006 to accomplish that feat. He joined an exclusive group as the fourth Cub in the last 100 years to record 40 stolen bases and 60 RBIs in the same season. His second Gold Glove Award in 2025 solidified his status as one of the best defensive second basemen in baseball.
Nicholas Mackie Hoerner Career Wins
Throughout his MLB career, Hoerner has been a model of consistency and durability, especially in recent seasons. His career statistics through June 28, 2026, include a .278 batting average, 40 home runs, 314 RBIs, and 143 stolen bases across seven seasons. His best statistical season came in 2023 when he drove in 68 runs and stole 43 bases while earning his first Gold Glove Award. In 2025, he set a career high in batting average at .297 while appearing in 156 games. His combination of power, speed, and defensive excellence has made him one of the most valuable players at his position.
Chicago Cubs Highlights
Since joining the Cubs in 2019, Hoerner has been a consistent performer in the middle of their lineup and defense. His 143 career stolen bases highlight his elite speed on the bases, while his 314 career RBIs demonstrate his ability to drive in runs in clutch situations. His 2023 season stands out as his most complete, as he combined Gold Glove defense with career highs in steals and RBIs. His 2025 Gold Glove Award confirmed his status as one of the premier defensive players at his position. His recent six-year, $141 million extension reflects the Cubs’ belief in his long-term value to the organization.
Defensive Accolades
Hoerner’s defensive excellence has been recognized with two Gold Glove Awards, both earned at second base in the National League. His first award came in 2023 as part of a historic middle-infield duo with Dansby Swanson, marking the first time since 2016 that teammates at shortstop and second base both won Gold Gloves. His second award in 2025 confirmed that his defensive prowess was no coincidence. He has led the majors in assists and consistently posted strong Outs Above Average metrics, making him one of the most valuable defenders in baseball.
Nicholas Mackie Hoerner Family
Family Background
Nico Hoerner comes from a family with strong academic credentials. His parents, Fred Hoerner and Keila Diehl, are both educators who have dedicated their careers to education. His father has retired after a career in education, while his mother continues her work at the University of California, Berkeley. Hoerner has one sibling, a sister named Annika. Growing up in the Bay Area, Hoerner was naturally drawn to baseball as a fan of the Oakland Athletics.
Personal Life
Hoerner maintains a strong connection to his Bay Area roots despite his professional career in Chicago. His parents’ backgrounds in education have shaped his approach to the game and his engagement with fans and community initiatives. He attended the Head-Royce School in Oakland and Stanford University, building a strong foundation in both academics and athletics that has supported his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented another strong year for Hoerner with the Chicago Cubs. He played 156 games, slashing .297/.345/.394 with seven home runs and 61 RBIs while stealing 29 bases. His batting average of .297 represented a significant improvement from the previous season, demonstrating his ability to make consistent contact. His defensive excellence remained on display throughout the season, as he showcased the range and reliability that has made him one of the best second basemen in the National League.
Hoerner’s consistency at the plate and in the field earned him recognition from across the league. His November 2025 Gold Glove Award marked his second consecutive honor, solidifying his status as one of the premier defenders at his position. The Cubs viewed him as a cornerstone of their organization, signing him to a landmark six-year, $141 million extension in March 2026 that reflected his value to the franchise. As he entered the prime of his career, Hoerner had established himself as one of the most complete players in baseball, combining Gold Glove defense with reliable offensive production.