Who Is Nico Hoerner’s Fiancée Julia DiTosto? 2026 Update

Nico Hoerner Girlfriend

Player Profile  ·  Chicago Cubs

Nico Hoerner Fiancée & Relationship 2026

Updated June 2026
Full NameNicholas Mackie Hoerner  b. May 13, 1997, Oakland, CA
RelationshipEngaged  to Julia Deegan DiTosto since July 17, 2025
FiancéeJulia Deegan DiTosto  ·  Real World Evidence Scientist, Merck Group
Current ClubChicago Cubs  No. 2 · Second Baseman
New Contract6 years / $141 million  ·  2027–2032  ·  Full no-trade clause
EducationStanford University (both Nico and Julia are Stanford alumni)
Awards2× Gold Glove Award (2023, 2025)
2026 Stats66 G  ·  .280 AVG  ·  wOBA .308  ·  (through June 9, 2026)
29 Age (2026)
$141M New Contract
Gold Gloves
2025 Engaged

Is Nico Hoerner Engaged in 2026?

Yes. As of June 2026, Nico Hoerner is engaged to his longtime partner, Julia Deegan DiTosto. The couple announced their engagement on July 17, 2025, lighting up social media across Cubs Nation. Julia shared the news on Instagram with a caption that summed up their decade-long journey: “the boy I thought was cute at freshman orientation asked me to marry him.”

The two first met as freshmen at Stanford University, where Nico played baseball and Julia competed on the field hockey team. Their relationship has spanned nearly a decade — through college, through Nico’s rise in the major leagues, and through the demanding rhythms of a 162-game baseball season.

June 2026 Update

The biggest news for Nico in 2026 is his landmark contract extension. On March 29, 2026, the Chicago Cubs and Hoerner officially finalized a 6-year, $141 million deal running from 2027 through 2032, with a full no-trade clause. At the postgame press conference, Hoerner appeared alongside Julia and his family. “It means the world,” he said. “There’d be nothing more satisfying than winning a championship in the place you started.”


Who Is Julia DiTosto?

Julia Deegan DiTosto is far more than a partner cheering from the Wrigley Field stands. She is a highly accomplished professional in her own right — and a genuine equal to one of baseball’s most intellectually driven players.

Julia was born on July 9, 1997, in Princeton, New Jersey, to Robert and Kelly DiTosto. She graduated from Princeton High School in 2015 as an AP Scholar and went on to earn two degrees from Stanford: a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and a Master of Science in Community Health and Prevention Research. While at Stanford, she played field hockey for three seasons, earning America East Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll recognition as a junior in 2017.

She currently works as a Real World Evidence Scientist in the fertility division at Merck Group — a role that combines her background in biology and public health research. She is not a doctor, as some earlier reports incorrectly stated.

“The boy I thought was cute at freshman orientation asked me to marry him.”

Julia DiTosto, Instagram, July 17, 2025

The Biggest Story of 2026: A $141 Million Commitment to Chicago

Coming into 2026, the dominant storyline around Nico Hoerner was uncertainty. With his previous contract expiring after the season, and the Cubs having signed third baseman Alex Bregman over the winter, trade rumors linking Hoerner to teams like the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox gained significant traction. For a couple with deep Bay Area roots — Nico was raised in Oakland, Julia spent time in the San Jose area — a homecoming trade carried a personal dimension too.

But in March 2026, that storyline was closed for good. MLB insider Bob Nightengale had already reported in January that the Cubs had no intention of trading their second baseman. Then, on March 26, a formal extension agreement was announced, and three days later the $141 million, six-year deal was made official on Opening Day weekend. The contract includes a full no-trade clause, meaning Hoerner will be a Cub — and remain in Chicago — through at least 2032.

For Hoerner and DiTosto, the extension means wedding planning, career stability, and the next chapter of their relationship will all unfold in the same city: Chicago.


Career Path: From Stanford to Wrigley Field

1997
Born in Oakland, California
Born to Fred Hoerner (retired English teacher) and Keila Diehl. Grows up as a diehard Oakland A’s fan.
2015–18
Stanford University
Plays baseball for the Stanford Cardinals. Meets Julia DiTosto during freshman orientation — she is playing field hockey for the same school.
2018
Drafted by Chicago Cubs
Selected in the first round, 24th overall, in the 2018 MLB Draft straight out of Stanford.
2019
MLB Debut
Makes his debut on September 9, 2019, for the Chicago Cubs. Becomes an immediate fan favourite at Wrigley Field.
2023
First Gold Glove Award
Wins his first Gold Glove at second base. Signs a multi-year contract extension to stay in Chicago.
2025
Best Season + Second Gold Glove + Engagement
Career-best season with added power. Wins his second Gold Glove Award. On July 17, proposes to Julia DiTosto. Cubs reach the postseason — Hoerner bats .419 in playoffs, no strikeouts in 31 at-bats.
Mar 2026
$141 Million Extension — Franchise Cornerstone
Signs a 6-year, $141M deal with a full no-trade clause. Appears at the press conference with Julia and his family. Commits his career — and his future — to Chicago.

Quick Facts: Nico & Julia

01
Both Stanford Alumni Nico studied at Stanford before the MLB Draft, while Julia earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees there. It is where they met as freshmen and where their relationship began.
02
Julia Is a Scientist at Merck She works as a Real World Evidence Scientist in the fertility section of Merck Group — a highly specialised role in pharmaceutical research, not a doctor as some reports claimed.
03
Two Athletes, One Relationship While Nico played collegiate baseball at Stanford, Julia competed as a field hockey player. Both understand the dedication and sacrifice a serious athletic career demands.
04
Privacy Over Spotlight Despite Nico’s growing profile, the couple rarely seeks media attention. They are known among teammates for quiet hikes and time with close friends over public appearances.
05
Cubs Teammates Celebrated Their Engagement When Julia posted the engagement news on Instagram, teammates’ partners including Kyle Tucker’s wife Samantha and Pete Crow-Armstrong’s girlfriend Hailey Lavelle were among the first to comment with congratulations.
06
The No-Trade Clause Changes Everything His new $141M extension includes a full no-trade clause — meaning Hoerner has total control over his future destination. He chose Chicago. Julia chose Chicago. The couple is here to stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Nico Hoerner’s fiancée?
Nico Hoerner is engaged to Julia Deegan DiTosto, a Real World Evidence Scientist at Merck Group. The couple met as student-athletes at Stanford University during their freshman year — Nico played baseball, Julia played field hockey. They got engaged on July 17, 2025.
When did Nico Hoerner get engaged?
Nico and Julia announced their engagement on July 17, 2025. Julia shared the news on Instagram with the caption: “the boy I thought was cute at freshman orientation asked me to marry him.” Cubs teammates’ partners and fans across social media celebrated the announcement.
What is Julia DiTosto’s job?
Julia DiTosto works as a Real World Evidence Scientist in the fertility division at Merck Group. She earned a BS in Human Biology and an MS in Community Health and Prevention Research, both from Stanford University. She is not a doctor, as some earlier reports incorrectly stated.
Did Nico Hoerner sign a new contract in 2026?
Yes. On March 29, 2026, Nico Hoerner and the Chicago Cubs finalized a 6-year, $141 million contract extension running from 2027 to 2032. The deal includes a full no-trade clause, making him a permanent fixture in Chicago. He appeared at the press conference alongside Julia and his family.
Was Nico Hoerner traded to the Giants or Red Sox?
No. Despite significant trade speculation during the winter of 2025-26 linking him to the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox, Hoerner was not traded. The Cubs retained him and signed him to a 6-year, $141M extension with a full no-trade clause in March 2026.
How many Gold Gloves has Nico Hoerner won?
Nico Hoerner has won two Gold Glove Awards at second base — in 2023 and 2025. He is widely considered one of the best defensive second basemen in Major League Baseball.
Where did Nico Hoerner and Julia DiTosto meet?
They met during their freshman year at Stanford University, where both were student-athletes. Nico played for the Stanford Cardinals baseball team; Julia played field hockey. They have been together since their college days, a relationship spanning nearly a decade by the time they got engaged in 2025.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *