With the year coming to a close, NBC Sports Chicago is looking back on the top moments from the 2019 Cubs season.
Cubs top prospect Nico Hoerner went back home to California after his Double-A season with the Tennessee Smokies ended on Sept. 2. The 22-year-old was set to have a few weeks off before heading to the Arizona Fall League later that month.
Then, the Cubs came calling.
With both Javier Báez (fractured thumb) and Addison Russell (concussion) on the mend, the Cubs had no true shortstop healthy. In response, they promoted Hoerner to The Show on Sept.