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It was a slow start to the 2024 season for Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ as once the calendar flipped to May, many fans were trying to find a way for the Cubs to designate him for assignment.
Despite those struggles, Happ rebounded to have, arguably, the best offensive season of his career. Happ finished the season with a slash line of .243/.341/.441 while tying his career-high mark for home runs in a season with 25. Happ also had 86 RBI on the season, marking a new career-high. From a wRC+ mark, 122, Happ's 2024 season did not quite match his 2019 season, 126, but by FanGraphs' offensive value metric, 18.4, Happ's 2024 season was the best of his career.
Needless to say, Happ is a cornerstone in the Cubs' lineup moving forward. In saying that, he also may have solved a longtime question ab the team's lineup construction.
Ian Happ in the leadoff spot since July 30th 🔥
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) October 20, 2024
51 Games
9 HR
26 RBI
.800 OPS
Ian Happ may have solved the Cubs' leadoff hitter question.
Since Dexter Fowler left for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017, the leadoff spot has some somewhat of a black hole for the Cubs' starting lineup. There were experiments with Kyle Scwarber, Kris Bryant, and, even. Anthony Rizzo but there hasn't been anything that stuck. Especially in the seasons since the teardown of the World Series' core.
As the Cubs begin to map out their starting lineup for the 2025 season, it should begin with Happ in the leadoff spot. With Happ, there has been plenty of consternation regarding his spot in the Cubs' lineup in recent years but he found his home as the 2024 season was ending. Beyond his willingness to take walks, Happ has the power to be at the top of the order for the Cubs.
Former Cubs' manager Joe Maddon was ahead of his time when he experimented with the idea of hitting Schwarber leadoff. The thinking was that when Schwarber is not hitting home runs, he is working the count in an effort to earn a walk. No, Happ does not have the power that Schwarber has, but a .800 OPS out of the leadoff spot to close the season is nothing to scoff at.