Prior to the 2024 season, a pitcher and an infielder for the Chicago Cubs are tied for the highest predicted WAR.
In terms of assessing a player’s worth to a club and the game, wins above replacement, or WAR, is one of the most widely accepted new metrics.
WAR is a metric that is often evaluated at the conclusion of the season. But without a little 2024 projection, what would be the hot stove league?
MLB.com has combed through forecasts based on Streamer estimates and selected the highest-projected player on each team based on WAR.
In the end, the Chicago Cubs were tied. Pitcher Justin Steele and second baseman Nico Hoerner both had predicted WARs of 3.3.
It turns out that Dansby Swanson, the shortstop, and Steele finished tied in the previous season. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Steele ended up tied here.
In 181 innings, Steele is expected to have a 3.69 ERA and 174 strikeouts. That would point to a healthy, full season for Steele, and the Cubs saw last season just how good he can be.
Steele finished fifth in Cy Young voting last season after he posted the best season of his career. He led the Cubs in wins, going 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA. He threw a career-high 173.1 innings, striking out a career-high 176 and walking 36. He also earned his first All-Star Game bid.
He enters this season as the Cubs’ projected opening-day starter.
As for Hoerner, he moved from shortstop to second base last season to make room for Swanson. The fifth-year Cub won his first Gold Glove and put together another fine season at the plate, as he slashed .283/.346/.383/.729 with nine home runs and 68 RBI. He also had a career-high 27 doubles.
Hoerner is projected for another quality season — .281/.342/.403/.326 with 12 home runs, 85 runs and 67 RBI. He was the only Cubs hitter among the Top 50 hitters in projected WAR for 2024.
