Jon Berti has been something of a secret weapon for the Cubs this season.

The utilityman has started in 21 of his 31 appearances for Chicago, with 17 of those starts coming at third base, but it’s been on the basepaths where Berti has had the biggest impact. His eight stolen bases are the fourth-most on the team, even though he’s only made about half the appearances that the top three of Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kyle Tucker and Nico Hoerner have.

[MORE: How Jon Berti sparked Cubs’ offense in third inning of blowout win]

For a Cubs team that’s stolen the third-most bases in MLB this year (74), Berti has been able to play to his strengths when they need it most.

In the bottom of the 11th inning against the Rockies on May 27, Michael Busch had just tied the game at 3-3 on a soft single that made it through the hole and into left field. Crow-Armstrong, who stole third base right before, came home easily.

The Cubs immediately called upon Berti to replace Busch on first base and represent the winning run. Emulating Crow-Armstrong, Berti got right to work by nabbing second base. Two batters later, he turned on the jets to score on Matt Shaw’s bloop single to right.

Berti joined “Cubs Live!” on Saturday to talk about how he’s always prepared for those kinds of situations.

“My entire career, I just kind of learned that if you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready,” Berti told Marquee Sports Network’s Cole Wright and Cliff Floyd. “I prepare every day like I’m going to play – like I’m going to be in there.”

Berti, 35, joined the Cubs in the offseason on a one year, $2 million deal. He made his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018 before spending five seasons with the Miami Marlins and one with the New York Yankees. While with the Marlins in 2022, Berti led the NL in stolen bases with 41.

The Cubs always had a clear plan to use Berti as depth, and he has all the tools to be the guy the Cubs turn to when they need speed.

“I know what my (baserunning) approach will be off the starter, off the bullpen guys,” Berti said. “If I’m going to pinch run, it’s understanding times to the plate and situations. Even if it’s been a few days, when I’m out there, I’m trying to help us win.”