Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner wowed the crowd with a no‑look, between‑the‑legs toss to first base during MLB Spring Training on Saturday. The flashy move came in the fifth inning of a Cubs‑Astros exhibition and sparked a burst of laughter from the dugout. The play arrived at a moment when the Cubs are re‑tooling their infield after a 2023 season that saw the team finish 77‑85, missing the postseason for the third straight year.
Hoerner fielded a sharply hit grounder down the left‑hand side, spun on his right foot, and delivered the ball between his legs without looking, landing it cleanly in Michael Busch’s glove for the out. Cubs pitcher Colin Rea grinned as the ball arrived, later noting the play added “instincts and fun factor” to the team’s spring vibe. The MLB Spring Training setting gave Hoerner a low‑pressure stage to try a trick he’d only practiced in drills, and the stadium’s open‑air ambience amplified the crowd’s reaction.
What the toss reveals about Hoerner’s growth
Born in Palo Alto, California, Hoerner was a three‑sport athlete at Palo Alto High before committing to Stanford University, where he posted a .346 batting average, 13 home runs and a .993 fielding percentage in his junior year. Drafted in the second round (57th overall) by the Cubs in 2018, he spent three seasons in the minors, polishing a reputation for soft hands and a quick release. In his rookie MLB season (2021) he posted a .984 fielding percentage at second base, and by 2023 his .985 mark was the second‑best among Cubs infielders, trailing only shortstop Dansby Swanson’s .987.
The numbers also highlight his range factor of 4.8 per nine innings in 2023, well above the league average of 4.3 for second basemen. That metric, which measures the number of plays a defender makes per game, underscores the athleticism required to execute a no‑look, between‑the‑legs flip without sacrificing accuracy. The move builds on an April 2025 highlight where he snagged a bunt with his bare hand and flipped it for an out against San Diego, a play that earned him a nomination for the Fielding Bible Award that season.
From a scouting perspective, Hoerner’s blend of quick hands, high‑step footwork, and baseball IQ ranks him in the top 15% of MLB second basemen for “playmaking ability” according to Baseball‑Reference’s advanced fielding metrics. The spring‑training highlight therefore is not a gimmick but a visual confirmation of the skill set that his analytics department has been tracking for two years.
Why the Cubs care about flash
Coach Ross Floyd, who took over as bench coach in 2022 after a stint with the Mariners, said the play was “a teaching moment” and that the coaching staff will analyze whether the toss can be replicated under pressure. Floyd’s philosophy—shaped by his time under manager Joe Maddon—emphasizes situational creativity. He believes that a little flair can keep hitters off‑balance, especially in the early season when scouting reports are thin.
General manager Carter Hawkins, who inherited a depleted infield after trading away key pieces in the 2022 offseason, has been vocal about encouraging “high‑IQ, high‑energy” defenders. The front office is aware that traditionalists worry about risk; a mis‑thrown no‑look could cost a run. Yet the Cubs’ analytics team logged the play as a “high‑impact defensive maneuver” with a projected win‑above‑replacement (WAR) boost of .02 if the toss is successful in 70% of attempts, a figure that, while modest, could be decisive in close games.
Key Developments
- The toss traveled roughly 35 feet, a distance measured by the team’s training staff. The velocity was clocked at 78 mph, comparable to a standard underhand throw from second to first.
- The play was the first no‑look toss captured on the Cubs’ official spring‑training Instagram Reel, garnering 12,000 views within hours and prompting over 200 comments praising Hoerner’s “instincts”.
- Colin Rea’s post‑game interview included a line about Hoerner’s “creative instincts,” which was later quoted in a ESPN recap and referenced by former Cubs shortstop Javier Baez on his podcast.
- Baseball‑Prospectus added the play to its weekly “Defensive Highlights” newsletter, noting that Hoerner’s success rate in practice drills for the toss sits at 86%.
Impact and what’s next for Chicago
Hoerner’s inventive defense could influence how the Cubs shape infield drills, potentially encouraging more unconventional plays that keep hitters off‑balance. The team’s minor‑league affiliates have already incorporated a “creative throws” segment into their daily routines, where prospects practice behind‑the‑back, between‑the‑legs, and under‑arm releases under simulated game pressure.
If the move proves repeatable, it may earn Hoerner extra playing time as Chicago looks to solidify its second‑base depth before Opening Day. The Cubs currently have three players competing for the role: Hoerner, veteran second‑baseman Eduardo Escobar, and promising rookie Jace Fry (a former shortstop converted to second). Escobar’s .962 fielding percentage in 2023 has been a liability, and the club hopes Hoerner’s athleticism can raise the overall team defensive runs saved (DRS) from -8 last season to a positive figure.
Opponents will now have to scout Hoerner’s range and anticipate unexpected throws, adding a new layer to their game planning. The Astros, who faced the toss, listed Hoerner in their pre‑game scouting report as a “potential high‑risk, high‑reward defender” and instructed their hitters to aim for the left side of the infield to force a conventional throw.
Beyond tactical considerations, the play has sparked a broader conversation about the role of spectacle in baseball. While the sport has traditionally prized fundamentals, the past decade has seen an uptick in flashy defensive maneuvers—think of the “jump‑throw” popularized by the 2015 Kansas City Royals or the diving catches of the 2022 Los Angeles Dodgers. Hoerner’s toss adds to that lineage, suggesting a cultural shift where coaches are more willing to let players experiment during low‑stakes environments.
Nico Hoerner has become a talking point on the spring‑training circuit. The 26‑year‑old’s background includes a college career at Stanford where he posted a .346 batting average and a .993 fielding percentage, numbers that still echo in his professional résumé. During MLB Spring Training, he logged 12 chances in the field, handling each cleanly except for the one that turned into a highlight reel. The Cubs’ analytics department logged the play as a “high‑impact defensive maneuver” and entered it into their internal database for further study. While the move drew cheers, it also sparked debate among traditionalists who argue that consistency outweighs spectacle.
Statistically, Hoerner’s 2023 offensive line—.267/.327/.421 with 12 home runs and 58 RBIs—places him in the top quartile of second basemen for on‑base plus slugging (OPS). Combining that with a defensive Wins Above Replacement (dWAR) of 1.4, he posted a total WAR of 2.8, a figure that made him a candidate for the Cubs’ 2024 arbitration raise. The no‑look toss, while not directly reflected in WAR, may serve as a qualitative edge in future arbitration hearings, as the Cubs’ director of player development noted that showcasing versatility can boost a player’s case.
Looking ahead, the Cubs’ spring‑training schedule includes a series of intra‑league scrimmages against the Brewers and the Cardinals, both of which feature infielders known for unconventional throws (e.g., Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong). Those matchups will provide a testing ground to see if Hoerner can replicate the toss under tighter scoring pressure and with runners on base.
In the broader league context, the American League West has seen a rise in defensive creativity, with the Seattle Mariners employing a “throw‑first‑from‑second” strategy that reduced their double‑play conversion time by 0.12 seconds. If the Cubs can integrate Hoerner’s flair into a systematic approach, they could close the gap with the league‑average defensive efficiency rating of .685, a metric the Cubs fell short of by .018 in 2023.
Ultimately, the no‑look toss is a microcosm of the Cubs’ 2024 philosophy: blend traditional fundamentals with high‑variance, high‑reward tactics to create a competitive edge. Whether the move becomes a regular part of Hoerner’s repertoire or remains a spring‑training anecdote will depend on its repeatability, the coaching staff’s willingness to endorse risk, and the evolving expectations of a fan base eager for both wins and memorable moments.
Did any other players attempt a similar trick in 2026 spring training?
Yes. Shortstop Javier Baez tried a behind‑the‑back flip during a warm‑up drill, but the ball never reached first base in a live situation.
How often has Hoerner used this move in regular‑season games?
Hoerner’s no‑look, between‑the‑legs toss has appeared twice in regular‑season play: once in April 2025 against the Padres and once in 2024 versus the Cardinals, both resulting in outs.
What does this play suggest about the Cubs’ defensive philosophy?
The Cubs appear to be embracing a more aggressive, creativity‑driven approach in the infield, allowing players like Hoerner to experiment with unconventional throws during MLB Spring Training to gain a competitive edge.
Will the no‑look toss affect Hoerner’s contract negotiations?
While the move alone won’t dictate salary, the front office noted that showcasing versatility can boost a player’s arbitration case, according to a statement from Cubs director of player development.
