The team’s president, Buster Posey, has also stressed pitching and defense throughout his entire tenure as an executive. That’s fittingly where Hoerner excels.
On top of winning two Gold Gloves across his career, he’s racked up 43 defensive runs saved, 51 outs above average, and a Fielding Run Value of 41 across his entire career at second base.
His defensive prowess would not only lock down second base for San Francisco, but it would take a ton of pressure off the shoulders of newer first basemen Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldridge.
Bay Area Roots
While these things typically make for better headlines than real reasons for business, Hoerner does have extremely strong ties to California’s Bay Area, as he was born and raised in Oakland, California.
Growing up an A’s fan, there’s likely a crosstown familiarity between Hoerner and the Giants’ organization. This all came before he played college baseball at Stanford University, where he’d first make a name for himself.
His .303/.351/.408 there would make him the Cubs’ first-round draft pick back in 2018. Hoerner is going to be a free agent after the 2026 season and there’s always a chance you’re getting just one season from him.