Chicago Cubs Ian Happ and what his promotion means

The Chicago Cubs recalled infielder/outfielder Ian Happ from Triple-A Iowa on Thursday. Here’s what the move means for Happ and the Cubs 25-man roster.

The Chicago Cubs Ian Happ is back. Thursday, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register reported that the Chicago Cubs are recalling Happ from Triple-A Iowa. Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer later confirmed the promotion to 670 The Score.

Happ was one of the Cubs last cuts in spring training after hitting just .135/.196/.192 in 52 at-bats. This followed his tough 2018 season in which he struck out in 36.1 percent of his plate appearances.

Fans have clamored for the Cubs to recall Happ for months now, but the team stressed patience to allow the 24-year-old to work on his swing with Iowa. And though he struggled initially, Happ has turned things around in July, hitting .324/.451/.608, including .333 over his last 10 games, striking out six times compared to nine walks during that stretch.

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While Happ’s 2019 strikeout percentage (26.3) with Iowa could be better, the Cubs deemed him ready to return to the big leagues after his successful July. For the Cubs, his arrival can’t come a moment too soon.

Following their win on Thursday, the St. Louis Cardinals entered a tie with the Cubs for first place in the National League Central. The Milwaukee Brewers sit just two games back (with three games in hand), too.

It’s go time

Thus, Happ is re-joining the Cubs ahead of their most pivotal stretch this season, as their next nine games will be against the Brewers (six) and Cardinals (three). Six of those nine games on the road, where the Cubs are a ghastly 19-29 this season.

Hoyer said that Happ would primarily play outfield with the Cubs, though he could potentially see time at second base as well. Between the two, the Cubs could use all the production that they can get out of Happ’s bat.

Even with Jason Heyward enjoying his best offensive season as a Cub, the team’s outfield production has left plenty to be desired. Cubs outfielders are hitting .254/.334/.444, highlighted by a .244/.298/.381 line from center field.

With Happ back in the fold, the Cubs can choose to sit Albert Almora Jr. against right-handed starting pitchers, as Happ is a switch hitter. The same can be said about Kyle Schwarber against left-handed pitchers, allowing Happ to play left field.

Happ’s big opportunity

It’s no secret that second base has been a revolving door for the Cubs, with Addison Russell, David Bote, Daniel Decaslso, Robel Garcia and Ben Zobrist rotating in and out this season. Of course, Russell was recently demoted to Iowa, Bote and Descaslo have struggled for extended stretches and Zobrist is on the restricted list while he tends to a personal matter.

Garcia has shown positive flashes since the Cubs called him up on July 3, with eight of his 12 hits going for extra bases. He’s also struck out 18 times in 15 games, though, so it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for him.

Even when Happ isn’t in the starting lineup, he presents manager Joe Maddon with a more dangerous threat off the bench than the likes of Descalso and catcher Martin Maldonado. Overall, he’ll get plenty of opportunities to establish himself on the Cubs 25-man roster.

If Happ’s production gets back to where it was in his 2017 rookie season – he hit 24 home runs in 115 games – things will play themselves out, both in his favor and the Cubs’.