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Chicago Cubs: Ian Happ is making it hard to send him back to Iowa

May 14, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Ian Happ (8) follows through on a double during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Ian Happ (8) follows through on a double during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
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May 17, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Ian Happ (8) catches a fly ball hit by Cincinnati Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart (16) in the sixth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Ian Happ (8) catches a fly ball hit by Cincinnati Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart (16) in the sixth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Maybe the decision isn’t that hard after all

Despite Happ’s strong start, it is unrealistic to think he will stick on the big league roster. Both Jay (.296/.405/.366 in 33 games) and Albert Almora (.271/.326/.400 in 35 games) are off to strong starts while Heyward is showing signs of a bounce back year at the plate.

The only outfielder not performing well so far this season is Kyle Schwarber. The 24-year-old is slashing .188/.312/.361 with six home runs and 17 RBI in 37 games. Perhaps, if Schwarber continues to struggle, he and Happ could platoon left field. That would be a tricky action as Schwarber is the lead-off man for the Cubs, and finding a good choice to replace Schwarber atop the line-up three days a week would be hard.

Taking all of this into account one can see that sending Happ back to Triple-A once Heyward returns would be the best option. Happ, as well as Almora and Schwarber, need regular at-bats if they hope to progress into better hitters.

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