Chicago Cubs: Will We See Top Prospect Ian Happ in Majors in 2017?
Will top prospect Ian Happ make the Chicago Cubs in 2017?
The Chicago Cubs have been sending offensive talent to the major leagues in waves over the past couple of seasons. Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber, Willson Contreras and on and on and on. It seems like all the Cubs have to do is call a player up, and he becomes an offensive star.
Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and company have done an incredible job of stock-piling offensive talent throughout the Chicago Cubs system. It was a major reason why they won the World Series championship. However, after many major graduations and a few trades where the Cubs were “buyers”; they are not stocked with as much talent in the minor leagues as before.
That does not mean that you should discount their ability to dip down to the minor leagues to find an impact bat. For the 2017 season, second baseman/outfielder Ian Happ appears to be the next man on the horizon.
Happ was recently named the second-best prospect in the Cubs’ system by Baseball America. He is a sweet-swinging switch hitter who has shown great plate discipline and strong power. Happ excelled at Double-A last season and may be on the fast track to the big leagues.
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A second baseman by trade, the Cubs have worked with Happ in the outfield in recent years. He is not an elite defender at either position, but Happ has the overall athleticism and field awareness to play second base or corner outfield at an above average level in the big leagues.
Offensively, Happ controls the zone extremely well. He is a solid contact hitter who lays off of tough pitches on the outside and drives strikes with consistency. Happ is a professional hitter whose style should translate well to the majors.
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There is a lot to like about Happ’s game. After coming off of a successful season at Double-A, it is fair to wonder when he will be ready for the big leagues. Honestly, I could envision a scenario where Happ starts hot, gets to Triple-A and knocks on the door of the big leagues. Similar to Willson Contreras last season.
Happ is Great, But is there a Spot?
Kyle Schwarber, Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist figure to see a huge majority of the starts in the corner outfield spots, while Zobrist and Javier Baez should be able to hold down second base just fine. Joe Maddon is a wizard with the lineup, but there is only so much even he can do. There just doesn’t seem to be room for Happ.
Unless there is a major injury or two, it is hard to see where Happ figures into the immediate plans. He has legitimate big league talent, and will probably be ready sooner rather than later. But if the at-bats aren’t available, Happ may just have to wait for his turn.
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Perhaps the most likely scenario is the Cubs dealing Happ away in a trade for pitching. Regardless, aside from a major injury or two or a massive breakout in the minors, I doubt we see Happ in the majors with the Chicago Cubs in 2017.