Cubs Second Baseman Barely Makes Top 10 At Position

What was working against Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner and his 'Top 10 Right Now' Ranking?

MLB Network is unveiling its “Top 10 Right Now” this week at key positions around the diamond. On Wednesday, a Chicago Cubs player made the list.

But was second baseman Nico Hoerner ranked too low?

When the network unveiled its Top 10 at second base Hoerner was on the list but he barely made the cut, coming in at No. 10.

It’s possible that Hoerner’s service time worked against him. He has four years of MLB service time but has only been a full-time player the past two seasons. Plus, he was a full-time second baseman for just the first time in his career in 2023. He was the full-time shortstop but moved over to second after the Cubs signed Dansby Swanson.

Still, in his first full season at second base Hoerner thrived. He won his first Gold Glove and slashed .283/.346/.383/.729 with nine home runs and 68 RBI. That was his second straight season batting better than .280.

Perhaps it is his recent move to second base that is working against him. But why isn’t it working against the No. 1 ranked second baseman, Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers?

Betts has spent most of his career in the outfield and even though he played 70 games at second base last year, he played 107 games in the outfield. In 2024 he will be the Dodgers’ full-time second baseman, carrying with him seven All-Star Game nods and two World Series titles.

So maybe experience helps, even if you’re not that experienced at the position?

The next two players on the list are also veterans who have World Series rings but are far more associated with the position — Houston’s Jose Altuve and Texas’ Marcus Semien.

By that measure, it’s going to take those that rank players for MLB Network more time to recognize that Hoerner is on his way up. In fact, many of the players ranked between Semien and Hoerner are on the young side.

The rest of the Top 10 included Miami’s Luis Arraez, Arizona’s Ketel Marte, Cincinnati’s Matt McLain, Cleveland’s Andrés Giménez, Minnesota’s Edouard Julien and Oakland’s Zack Gelof.