MESA, Ariz. — Marcus Stroman didn’t hide his excitement at having Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner behind him defensively.

“Ooo, that sanker gon’ be sankin’,” the Cubs righty said as he flashed his shiny smile.

It’s safe to say Stroman is thrilled about the double play combination that will debut for the Cubs in 2023 — and who could blame him?

Each part of the up-the-middle pair ranked in the top 12 in all of baseball in Outs Above Average — Swanson was second with 21 OAA and Hoerner was 12^th with 13 OAA. With the rule changes that ban shifting, the move gives the Cubs an elite pairing up the middle defensively.

“Dansby and Nico, obviously I’m biased, but I don’t see a better shortstop-second base — range, capability-wise — I don’t see a better one in the big leagues,” Stroman said.

For Stroman, that means even more confidence with the way he pitches. The righty is a contact-first pitcher that relies on his sinker and will have some steady gloves behind him to scoop up those balls in play.

“I’m already someone who has a lot of confidence to begin with, so you throw those guys behind me, I’m gonna be in a great place,” Stroman said. “I’ve never been scared of contact. I pitch in the zone very aggressively, but when you look and you see those guys behind you, you’re like, ‘if these guys put the ball in play, it’s probably gonna be an out.’”

Stroman was 6-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in his first season with the Cubs. He battled a shoulder injury and a bout with COVID but still ended up leading the team with 25 games started and 138.2 innings.