2 years agoChicago Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner had a sneaky good year in 2022, his first full season in the majors. He hit .281, homered 10 times, and collected 115 RBI plus runs over 135 games. Hoerner wasn't afraid to run the bases, swiping 20 bags with a sprint speed in the 92nd percentile. However, he doesn't possess the power to go with his speed. Hoerner hit just three homers before this season, and it'll be difficult for him to sustain his total from 2022, as he owns a career 2.1% barrel rate. The 25-year-old knows how to handle the bat, as he struck out just 11% of the time while posting a 14.2% whiff rate this year and owns a career 13.1% strikeout rate. Although, Hoerner never hits the ball hard (87.2 MPH average exit velocity in 2022), and a 6.6% fly ball spike this season is worrisome for a player of his skill set. His .270 xBA looks nice, but if his 2023 average is in that ballpark, based on where he's being drafted (140 ADP), he'll need to steal around 25 bases with double-digit long balls, something fantasy managers shouldn't count on him doing. And while Hoerner's expected to lead off for the Cubs, Steamer projects the former first-rounder for just 74 runs and 58 RBI. Managers are better off waiting for Thairo Estrada (184 ADP) or the still-promising Bryson Stott (221 ADP).--Spencer Seguin