PT TOMORROW: NL Central - Hoerner gets leadoff duties in CHC

Chicago Cubs

Perhaps to the surprise of some, even after signing Dansby Swanson (SS, CHC), manager David Ross recently indicated that Nico Hoerner (SS, CHC) will have the first opportunity to win the leadoff role for the Cubs. Hoerner has led off only three games during his MLB career, for a total of 13 plate appearances. That’s too small of a sample to determine if he can have success in the role, though he has displayed some skills in his overall profile to suggest he may excel (86 ct%, .333 OBA, 133 SPD, 15% SBO, 80 SB%).

To put some more specific numbers to that assertion, Hoerner hit primarily fifth and sixth in the order last season. The Cubs’ collective leadoff hitters totaled 739 plate appearances in 2022, while the fifth and...

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