2026 Chicago Cubs Positional Analysis: Second Base

With Opening Day hurtling toward us, Nico Hoerner enters his eighth (and possibly final) season as a Cub. The impending free agent will look to have a great season, to set himself up for a lucrative contract—barring an extension with the Cubs yet this spring. This year, though, his defense and unique plate approach will continue to make him a fan favorite and a valuable player.

Cubs Second Basemen at a Glance
Starter: Nico Hoerner
Backup: Matt Shaw
Depth Options: Ben Cowles, Scott Kingery
Prospects: James Triantos, Ty Southisene, Eziquiel Pena, Juan Capada

Cubs fWAR ranking in 2025: 5th
Cubs fWAR projection in 2026: 3rd

The Good
After an uneven, oft-injured start to his career, Hoerner has found his groove the last three years. He's played at least 150 games in each of the last three seasons, and in 2025, he was his best self. He's a bit of an anachronism, harkening back to the days when 100 strikeouts was considered an insulting figure. He only struck out 49 times last year, protecting the plate as well as virtually any player in baseball. Hoerner doesn't walk at a high rate, but makes up for that with a 99th-percentile contact rate. He slashed .297/.345/.394 in 2025.

Hoerner's defense is his calling card, though. In his third season as keystone partner with Dansby Swanson, the Cubs were fifth in double plays at their positions, with 75. He doesn't have the rotational explosiveness of high-end left-side infielders, but has learned to use his straight-line quickness and brilliant instincts well enough to make up for that.

Matt Shaw will capably back up the position, including taking over when Hoerner is in the lineup but Swanson isn't, sliding Hortner to shortstop. Second base will be just one position where Shaw finds time this year, though, and if Hoerner stays healthy, it won't be a place he gets to play much. Should Hoerner leave via free agency this coming winter, Shaw is a fair bet to take over the position, and would be a fine replacement.

The Bad
Unless Hoerner does get hurt and Shaw takes over amid a highly successful sophomore season, the Cubs will be light on power from their second baseman again. It's just not Hoerner's game to hit for power; it never will be. It feels like picking nits, but it's the key thing that separates him from superstardom. He does virtually everything else well. He's gotten a bit less efficient in stealing bases over the last two seasons, too; that's been part of his aging process.

The Bottom Line
Enjoy Hoerner in full this spring, summer and fall. He could leave in the winter, forcing the Cubs to scramble a bit to backfill the position. For this year, though, they can still count on a tough, smart, tenacious, charismatic and talented player who has emerged as both a dynamic two-way force on the field and a leader in the clubhouse.