Follow our new Twitter account for real-time updates and in-depth analysis of all things Chicago Cubs.
After Javier Báez went down with a thumb injury that was eventually determined to be a hairline fracture, Addison Russell took over as the Cubs’ starting shortstop. But after a week of becoming the de facto shortstop, Russell took a pitch off his head and has been in MLB’s concussion protocol ever since.
That prompted the surprise call up of Nico Hoerner, who has started five straight games at shortstop for the Cubs. All he’s done in his first week? Two four-RBI games, including homering on the first pitch he saw at Wrigley Field on Friday against the Pirates.
Although Hoerner doesn’t have the strongest arm for a shortstop, the rookie has looked solid on the field and has made every play going his way so far. At the plate, he’s giving the Cubs what they’ve been missing. A guy who’s going to grind out at-bats and at the very least put the bat on the ball.
Hoerner is 7-for-20, with a home run, eight RBIs, four runs scored, one triple and two walks. So, what’s going to happen when Russell is back?
Follow our new Twitter account for real-time updates and in-depth analysis of all things Chicago Cubs.
Maddon has always leaned toward playing Russell because of his defense, and despite praising him for his fielding, it seems like Hoerner isn’t moving from shortstop.
It’s not that Russell can’t or won’t play, but at this point the Cubs have to go with what’s working. Maddon is sticking with Anthony Rizzo at leadoff and that’s even with Ben Zobrist coming back to the lineup.
Zobrist will obviously be starting at second base when he plays and at this point David Bote has earned starts at second ahead of Russell too.
Bote hasn’t had many starts since the All-Star break and that included a demotion to Triple-A in late August. However, in 65 at-bats after the break Bote has a slash line of .308/.444/.462.
You know, it might seem that Bote isn’t having a good year because he struggled badly in the middle of the season, but he’s now up to a .366 OBP, only behind starters Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras.
So, going forward, expect Hoerner to get the starts at shortstop and Russell being relegated to late-inning defensive sub when he returns, with Hoerner moving over to second base for the last few innings.
Oh and another good reason to think Hoerner isn’t moving from shortstop? Maddon already compared him to El Mago.
