Cubs Star Nico Hoerner Predicted to Win Batting Title After $141M Extension

Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter believes Hoerner is poised for a career year at the plate.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 8:05pm

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The Chicago Cubs recently signed second baseman Nico Hoerner to a six-year, $141 million contract extension. Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter has now predicted that Hoerner will win the National League batting title this upcoming season, saying his elite defense and improved offensive production make him a 'solid bet' to lead the league in batting average.

Why it matters

Hoerner has quietly become one of the most valuable second basemen in baseball over the past four seasons, ranking 15th among all position players in WAR during that span. If he can capture the batting title, it would further validate the Cubs' decision to lock him up long-term and make his extension look like a savvy investment.

The details

Hoerner hit .297 last season, trailing only Trea Turner (.304) for the NL batting title. Reuter believes Hoerner's speed, contact skills, and improved production in the second half of 2025 make him poised to take the next step offensively and contend for the batting crown. The last Cubs player to win a batting title was Derrek Lee in 2005.

  • Hoerner signed a six-year, $141 million contract extension with the Cubs in March 2026.
  • In the 2025 season, Hoerner hit .297, ranking second in the NL in batting average behind Trea Turner's .304.

The players

Nico Hoerner

A 28-year-old second baseman for the Chicago Cubs who has quietly racked up 19.6 WAR over the past four seasons, ranking 15th among all position players during that span.

Joel Reuter

A writer for Bleacher Report who has predicted that Nico Hoerner will win the National League batting title in 2026.

Trea Turner

The Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop who won the 2025 National League batting title with a .304 average.

Derrek Lee

The last Chicago Cubs player to win a batting title, which he did in 2005 with a .335 average.

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What they’re saying

“Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner has quietly racked up 19.6 WAR over the past four seasons, a total that ranks 15th among all position players during that span. His elite defense has been the driving force in that value. However, he is also a solid contributor offensively. After a strong second half led to a career-high 114 OPS+ last season, he looks poised for a career year offensively.”

— Joel Reuter, Bleacher Report Writer

What’s next

If Hoerner can live up to Reuter's prediction and win the NL batting title in 2026, it would further cement his status as one of the best all-around second basemen in baseball and validate the Cubs' decision to sign him to a long-term extension.

The takeaway

Hoerner's combination of elite defense and improved offensive production, including a strong finish to the 2025 season, has positioned him as a prime candidate to win the National League batting title in 2026. If he can achieve this feat, it would make the Cubs' six-year, $141 million investment in him look like a savvy move that secures one of the game's most well-rounded second basemen for the long term.