Many of the decisions on the big-league roster haven’t really mattered since the 2021 trade deadline for the Cubs, but the team is starting 2023 with expectations to be competitive again. While the front office was busy replenishing the roster this past offseason there is still one major question mark when it come to their lineup construction. One week into spring training action, it seems like the Cubs have found their new leadoff hitter.

Ever since Dexter Fowler signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in free agency the Cubs have been searching for anyone to take the reins at the top of the batting order. On Thursday, Cubs manager David Ross spoke to reporters and essentially foreshadowed who the leadoff hitter will be on this team in 2023.

David Ross Strongly Hints at Nico Hoerner as Leadoff Hitter

This was just short of Ross flat out saying Nico Hoerner will be the leadoff hitter.

Hoerner, 25, heads into the 2023 season with two consecutive seasons of solid offensive production. The right-handed hitter has posted a slash line of .286/.341/.400, with a 106 wRC+ from 2021-22.

It’s a good challenge for an improving player and at this point Hoerner probably is the best option on the roster. He doesn’t strike out a lot, makes a lot of contact, sprays the ball to all fields and he’s started to add some more power to his swing. While his career .333 OBP is well above league average, Hoerner will have to draw more walks to get the most out of the leadoff spot. Or you know, just hit .300 again. And the thing is, Hoerner did have a 9.5 percent walk rate in the short 2020 season and then in 2021, he walked 10 percent of the time, so he has proven in the past that he can be more patient at the plate.

That being said, I don’t necessarily want the Cubs preaching Hoerner to change his approach this year because he has found success and has gotten better at the plate ever since the weird 2020 season.

Hoerner can also give the Cubs an edge when he’s on base. Last year, Hoerner stole 20 bases and was only caught stealing twice.

Since making his MLB debut in 2019, Hoerner has only started three games as the leadoff hitter.

Looking at the Cubs roster the only other guy I think the Cubs would consider at leadoff would be Ian Happ, but even with him he’s performed far better in other spots in the lineup. Hoerner may not be the ultra-high OBP guy at leadoff, but I feel confident that he’ll continue to be a solid hitter and that’s really all that should matter. Get your best hitters the most plate appearances.