Nico Hoerner
A cerebral and versatile infielder whose slick fielding and contact-first approach made him a cornerstone of the Chicago Cubs' new era.
Born 1997 (age 29)·American baseball player·Birthday: May 13·Generation Z
Biography
Nico Hoerner's path to Wrigley Field was paved by a standout career at Stanford University, where his blend of athleticism and sharp intellect caught the eye of scouts. Drafted in the first round in 2018, his rapid ascent saw him in a Cubs uniform by the following season, immediately injecting energy into the lineup. Hoerner distinguished himself not with towering home runs but with a throwback style: a reliable bat that rarely strikes out, blazing speed on the bases, and preternatural defensive instincts. His mastery at second base and shortstop earned him consecutive Gold Glove Awards, solidifying his reputation as one of the game's most dependable defenders. More than just a skilled player, Hoerner emerged as a quiet leader, embodying the gritty, fundamental identity the Cubs sought to build around in the post-championship years.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Nico was born in 1997, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Nico Was Born
The biggest hits of 1997
#1 Movie
Titanic
Best Picture
Titanic
#1 TV Show
ER
Nico's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1997Born
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2002Started school
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2010Became a teenager
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Could drive
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2015Could vote
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2018Turned 21
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 29 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won back-to-back National League Gold Glove Awards at second base in 2022 and 2023.
- Was the Chicago Cubs' first-round selection (24th overall) in the 2018 MLB draft out of Stanford University.
- Recorded a .283 batting average and stole 43 bases in the 2023 season, showcasing his dual-threat capability.
- Made his Major League debut in September 2019, just over a year after being drafted.
Did You Know?
He majored in Sociology at Stanford University.
Hoerner was the first player from the 2018 MLB draft class to reach the major leagues.
He is an avid chess player and has spoken about how the game's strategy influences his baseball IQ.
“I think the best way to lead is just to be yourself and play the game the right way.”
