Nico Hoerner was never supposed to have joined the Cubs in 2019, but a series of injuries forced the organization’s hand and resulted in him becoming the first player from the 2018 draft to make his MLB debut. He was relaxing after what should have been his first full professional season, preparing for another run at the Arizona Fall League to make up for time lost to a hairline fracture in his left wrist, when he got the call.
And, boy howdy, did he ever run with the unlikely opportunity. Despite racking up just 375 plate appearances over 89 total minor league games, Hoerner stepped right into the starting lineup in Chicago and held his own like a far more seasoned player.