One of the players least surprised that Nico Hoerner has made an impressive transition to the leadoff spot is Cardinals infielder Tommy Edman — whom Hoerner replaced at shortstop after his freshman season at Stanford.
“You could see his freshman year he definitely had a couple things he would tell you he needed to improve on, and he did so the next couple years,” Edman said late last month in San Francisco. “A big part that’s very similar to me, honestly, is that we both have contact mindsets and we see pitches we know we can hit. So we put them in play weakly to the right, and wait for a better pitch we can drive.
“Especially in his sophomore and junior year, he got more confidence in his ability, I think he started to be more patient.”
Hoerner entered Sunday with an 89.5% contact rate and an 11% strikeout rate, according to Fangraphs, to go with a .354 on-base percentage after a 5-4 loss to the Marlins in 14 innings.
“One thing that was super evident really early was how hard he was going to work, and he always had a great mindset,” said Edman, whose Cardinals open a three-game series Monday night against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. “He had full confidence in his abilities without being too cocky or anything like that. He was ready for any challenge.”
Hoerner was just as impressed with Edman’s ability to carry a heavy workload at Stanford into a successful career after signing as a junior following the 2016 season. Edman reached the majors three months before Hoerner in 2019 but already earned a degree in mathematical and computational science.
“He’s one of the only guys I know who can play baseball, take the hard classes and be a normal, social guy,” Hoerner said. “He’s an impressive, all -around person. The success he’s had has been awesome to follow. He’s so consistent, does everything well on a field. He’s a great player for any team to have.”
Gomes closer to returning
Catcher Yan Gomes (concussion) could be activated Tuesday after taking batting practice Sunday, one day after catching Kyle Hendricks’ bullpen session.
Hendricks (right shoulder) will make rehab starts for Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and Sunday. Reliever Codi Heuer (Tommy John surgery) also will pitch Tuesday for Iowa.
Left-hander Brandon Hughes (right knee) threw a bullpen session without experiencing discomfort. Pitcher Adrian Sampson underwent a cleanup of his right knee Friday.
This and that
This was the Cubs’ longest game, in terms of innings, since May 11, 2019, when they beat the Brewers 2-1 in 15. … Left-hander Ryan Borucki opted for free agency.