Nico Hoerner’s Work Ethic Earning Respect of Other Top Prospects

It was just a few months ago that Nico Hoerner was smacking lasers all over the diamond for Stanford. Now, less than a year into his professional career, the up-and-coming infielder is already gaining respect from some of the game’s top prospects.

Emily Waldon of The Athletic asked Arizona Fall League players about the peers for whom they had the most respect, and Hoerner’s name was at the top of the list.

I asked Fall League players about the work ethic they respect and opinions primarily pointed to #Cubs Nico Hoerner and #Angels Jahmai Jones.

Asked Jahmai Jones & he pointed to Nico.

For a player still at the grass roots level of his career, Nico has collected massive respect.

— Emily Waldon (@EmilyCWaldon) November 5, 2018

Only 21 years old, Hoerner is currently batting .338 with a homer, two triples, and two doubles in 71 at-bats for the Mesa Solar Sox. It’s possible that his performance will prompt the front office to consider speeding up his development timeline, maybe even putting him at AA Tennessee to open next season.

It doesn’t hurt that the shortstop’s work ethic is already being praised by many in the game.