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Chicago Cubs made the right call – one that will save Ian Happ’s career
The Chicago Cubs optioned Ian Happ to Triple-A Iowa this weekend and, just like Kyle Schwarber, this could be just the move to get the outfielder back on track.
There is no question that Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ has superstar potential. Drafted seventh overall in the 2015 draft out of the University of Cincinnati, Happ made a quick rise to the big leagues and has been fortunate enough to already get two seasons under his belt.
His rookie campaign showed promise, as Happ batted .253 with 24 home runs and an .842 OPS, finishing eighth in National League Rookie of the Year voting. We saw some regression last year, as Happ batted just .233 with 15 home runs and a .761 OPS.
2018 definitely didn’t play out as planned and after batting just .135 in Spring Training, Chicago decided it was time for action when it came to Happ. They optioned the young utility player to Triple-A Iowa, a decision Happ was ‘not happy’ about, according to reports.
Although Happ may not be happy with this decision, this is ultimately something he needs and will benefit him greatly as he moves forward in his young career.
Chicago Cubs: Cutting down the punchouts key for Happ
It’s worth noting that Happ tied for the team lead in strikeouts with Javier Baez at 167 last season. Why is that significant? Baez racked up his 167 punchouts across 645 at-bats. Happ did it in nearly 200 fewer, at 462.
Happ has a very long swing that’s caught up to him to this point in his career. With the offseason the Cubs have had, there’s been so much trust and pressure placed on internal improvement. In fact, the team’s offseason plan seemed predicated around that very concept: improve or else.
“He’s not happy and he shouldn’t be happy,” Maddon told MLB.com over the weekend. “I really don’t blame him. The guy has really performed very well for us at different periods of time on the Major League level. He is so ingrained in the culture within the building and within the clubhouse. Great teammate. A lot of the veterans have accepted him very readily, which doesn’t happen often with young players.
Chicago both wants and needs to see Happ take a big step forward this season. With the disappointing spring they saw from him, they made arguably their only choice, demotion. He needs to spend time shortening his swing, improving his contact rate and decreasing his strikeout rate. Playing sporadically at the big league level will not afford him the time to do so – but a trip to Triple-A will. It may not be what he wants, but it’s what he needs.
Chicago Cubs: Schwarber benefitted; can Happ do the same?
With Happ’s personal frustration stemming from this decision, this will undoubtedly be a make-or-break moment for his development. But if he needs inspiration, he need not look any further than his teammate Kyle Schwarber for reassurance.
Schwarber was in an identical scenario and has come out of it for the better. Chicago drafted the young slugger with the fourth overall pick back in 2014 out of Indiana University. Schwarber burst onto the scene and helped script the storybook 2016 World Series club by returning from a season-ending injury to bat .412 in the Fall Classic. For a guy to spend an entire season recovering and take his first major league at-bats in the World Series is special. To bat .412 in those at-bats is indescribable.
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With the god-like status Schwarber seemed to attain, he followed it up by batting sub-.200 to start the 2017 campaign, earning himself a trip to Triple-A. He was humbled, went to work and came back stronger than ever. He finished the 2017 season batting above .200 with 30 home runs, transformed himself for 2018, and improved his average to .238. Still a work in progress, but the demotion to Iowa was the beginning of a process for Schwarber and it has put him on the right track to success. Young stars are going to struggle, and it’s important for the organization to hold them accountable and take the steps needed to improve their development.
Sure, the Cubs are really going to need Ian Happ this season. He has the potential to be a huge contributor to a potent offense. However, the team simply cannot afford the on-and-off hitting he seems to bring, especially down the stretch.
This kid has given us great moments out in center and at the plate, but more consistency is essential and he hasn’t found that yet at the big league level. Happ has a great opportunity ahead of him. Get to work in Iowa, focus on the things he can control (shortening the length of his swing), and dedicate himself to coming back a better and more consistent ballplayer.
Next. Five reasons Kyle Schwarber will win NL MVP this year. dark
If Happ can commit himself to his development, he’s going to help this Chicago Cubs team reach new heights in 2019. With his work ethic and character, I have no doubt he will do just that.