Cubs' Nico Hoerner doesn't feel pressure of new contract

The Cubs showed second baseman Nico Hoerner the money, and he’s showing them it hasn’t affected him in the least.

In fact, the 28-year-old Hoerner — who signed a $141 million contract extension on Opening Day — is demonstrating an even better version of himself since signing for six more years on the North Side. He hit his second home run in the last two games (and third of the season) and added two singles and a diving defensive play in the Cubs’ 12-4 romp Friday against the Mets at Wrigley Field. In his last 11 games, Hoerner is batting .380 with three homers and 17 RBI.

Hoerner wouldn’t be the first player whose numbers were affected by new money. But it’s certainly not making him complacent, and there are no signs of him succumbing to pressure to perform better.

‘‘No matter where you’re at in your career, there is always going to be a next thing, right?’’ Hoerner told the Sun-Times. ‘‘Whether it’s debuting, being a starter, making an All-Star team, free agency, there’s always going to be a trap or the next thing you’re always putting pressure on yourself for. For myself, I’m still coming to terms with it, but I have an understanding of what it means for me. It’s a responsibility and accountability in a good way.’’

Don’t think the contract and everything that goes with it hasn’t crossed his mind, and Hoerner is no shallow thinker.

‘‘It does feel different,’’ he said. ‘‘Whether it’s pressure, responsibility, accountability or opportunity, there are a lot of great things that come from those emotions. Some of my best baseball has been when I felt nervous before a game, whether it’s a playoff or debut, things like that. I view [the contract] as responsibility and a chance to do something really special.’’

Hoerner was the leadoff man in a lineup that thumped its opponent with double-digit runs for a third consecutive game for the first time since Sept 13-15, 2019. Ian Happ hit his team-high fifth homer, and Moises Ballesteros extended his hitting streak to five games with two hits, including his third homer — an opposite-field, three-run shot into the basket that gave right-hander Edward Cabrera (three runs in six innings) a 4-0 lead in the first inning.

The Cubs (10-9) are above .500 for the first time this season.

‘‘Just a matter of time,’’ Happ said. ‘‘This offense is really good. Top to bottom, it’s deep. Good hitters with good plans.

‘‘We scored a bunch of runs in the last game [Wednesday] in Philadelphia, and I didn’t do anything. You can have a tough day and not have the weight of the world on your shoulders because other guys are picking you up. I wasn’t part of that, and it takes pressure off.’’

Hoerner is feeling no pressure to turn up his power production, but his new deal coin-
cides with visions of doing just that. He already is a two-time Gold Glove fielder and a hitter who earned his contract by getting on base, stealing bases, hitting doubles and scoring runs.

Manager Craig Counsell said Hoerner, who had 36 homers in his first seven seasons, has as much power as any player on the Cubs.

‘‘He’s become a better version of himself,’’ said Counsell, citing Hoerner’s homer and single to right field in consecutive at-bats Wednesday against the Phillies. ‘‘Nico’s next step has always been, ‘Can he drive the baseball consistently?’ ’’

The key, Counsell said, is keeping his foundation of skills as a hitter and ‘‘learning how to drive the baseball a little better, how he thinks about it.’’

‘‘I always want to improve my game, and that’s a space where I haven’t done that much,’’ Hoerner said, referring to his power. ‘‘The thing is, how much can you hold on to the skills that get you to this place in the first place but still add to your game?

‘‘The team has put a big commitment in for me. It doesn’t have to be anything different or change who I am, just another thing to hold me accountable to be a good version of myself every day.’’