Chicago Cubs Minors Recap: Prospect Ian Happ is surging

The start of May belonged to mother nature. The Chicago Cubs minor league affiliates were completed washed out with the exception of an early morning tilt for the Iowa Cubs. Take a moment to dry off as we explore the next rising star on this week’s The Call-up.

Ian Happ rising up

Myrtle Beach Pelicans infielder Ian Happ had himself quite an April finale. After earning Player of the Week honors last week in the Carolina league, Happ has emerged as the top end prospect that the Cubs targeted in the draft.

The Pittsburgh native capped off the surge by playing his way onto the MLB Pipeline Top Prospect Watch list, which recognizes players from every level.

Happ, 21, has an impressive .313/.427/.550 slash line. Pretty impressive considering the former Cincinnati Bearcat started the year 0-for-8 with four strikeouts.

More from Chicago Cubs Prospects

• Cubs Prospect Spotlight: Luis Devers continues to dominate
• Cubs: Alexander Canario wins Southern League Player of the Month
• Cubs: Hayden Wesneski already among team’s top prospects
• Cubs Minors: Yohendrick Pinango is primed for a jump to Double-A Tennessee
• Cubs prospect Alexander Canario has been swinging a hot stick

We have become accustomed to the Cubs drafting bats in recent years. The low years leading up to 2015 yielded a great amount of top-level talent. Happ joined Kris Bryant (2nd overall pick 2013) and Kyle Schwarber (4th overall pick 2014) when the Cubs selected him with the 9th overall pick in 2015.

The theme is presented pretty clearly. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer value power hitting talent as opposed to pitching. The strategy has worked well so far as Bryant and Schwarber have played vital roles in the ascension of the Cubs recently. Ian Happ is showing signs to growth and only time will tell when we may see him in the friendly confines.

Wet weather letdown

Die-hard baseball had the eternal struggle handed to them on Sunday. A monumentally huge weather system practically wiped out every game in the Cubs minor league ranks. For the fans, a day without baseball creates a void that can’t be filled.

The Iowa Cubs did manage to sneak one in as they were scheduled to play a doubleheader on Sunday. The first game started just after 11am central time and resulted in a 4-3 loss to Columbus. Game two of that doubleheader was postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.

Rain also forced the postponement for the Tennessee Smokies and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Both teams will have makeup dates announced at a later time.

In a unique situation, the South Bend Cubs had their game against the Cedar Rapids Kernels canceled. The two teams are not scheduled to play each other again this season, so there are no plans to make the game up.

Next: Don't sweat Arrieta's contract

Minor League Roundup

Iowa Cubs (9-12) 4th place in the PCL American Northern Division

Last week: (3-2), This week: @Nashville Sounds May 2nd-5th, vs. Omaha Storm Chasers May 6th-7th

Tenessee Smokies (12-11) 3rd place in the Southern League North Division

Last week: (4-2), This week: @Biloxi Shuckers May 2nd, vs. Mississippi Braves May 4th-7th

Myrtle Beach Pelicans (11-11) 2nd place in the Carolina League Southern Division

Last week: (2-3), This week: @Winston-Salem Dash May 2nd-4th, @Wilmington Blue Rocks May 5th-7th

South Bend Cubs (13-9) 3rd place in the Midwest League Eastern Division

Last week: (3-3), This week: vs. Wisconsin Timber Rattlers May 2nd-4th, vs. Beloit Snappers May 5th-7th