Chicago Cubs: What’s the plan with Ian Happ moving forward?

Despite being one of the only rookies on the team, Ian Happ has been one of the best players on the club this year.

In only 50 games thus far, Happ has 13 homers, a .562 slugging percentage, and an OPS+ of 130.  Those are really solid numbers for anyone, regardless of experience.

Happ plays four positions (all three outfield plus second base), but he should only be playing two.  From what the advanced metrics show, Happ is clearly a better second baseman and short-stop than he is a right or left fielder.

To Maddon’s credit, Happ has played the majority of his games in center, his best position.  According In center, Happ boasts a .952 fielding percentage and 40 putouts in 26 total games.

The fielding percentage is the lowest of any position, but that’s because it’s still a small sample size and he’s made a total of two errors in center.

In 19 games at second, he has played it pretty well, but to reiterate, the Cubs don’t need another second baseman.  Ben Zobrist, Javier Baez, Tommy LaStella, and Addison Russell can all play second.

We have to pick a position so let’s say Ian Happ is your center fielder for the future.  That leaves out Albert Almora Jr., who I think needs more playing time as it is.  You’re also putting a defensively unknown in Happ next to a liability in Kyle Schwarber.