Ian Happ saw his hitting streak end at nine games on June 27. It didn’t have any effect on the 2015 Chicago Cubs first round pick other than give him the desire to start another one. Coming into Saturday night, he’s recorded hits in four consecutive games.
“I’m trying to be as consistent as I possibly can,” Happ said. “I’ve learned some little things along the way, but right now I’m seeing it (the ball) well, swinging it well. I just have to try to keep it going.”
https://twitter.com/hudsonbelinsky/status/750327797868933124
Happ’s first streak stretched back to his stint with the High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans and he didn’t surrender it without a fight. The Cubs No. 3 overall prospect went 0-for-2, drew two walks and stole base. His batting average took a real hit too, dropping down to .647.
Needless to say, Happ’s promotion to the Double-A Tennessee Smokies Roster on June 23 has worked out pretty well, as is his transition to the infield after spending all of his collegiate career in the outfield.
“Versatility is huge in our system being in the National League,” Happ said. “Being able to pinch hit and play multiple positions, being able to shuffle guys around and make the line up look a bunch of different ways. That’s the way our big league club plays so that’s how we do it at the minor league level as well.”
.@Cubs MiLB Player of the Month @ihapp_1 leads the Smokies as we start a 10-game homestand!
First pitch at 7:05. pic.twitter.com/kX5tSjuhTU
— Tennessee Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) July 4, 2016
Happ hasn’t had much time to learn anything since the Cubs drafted him ninth overall last year out of the University of Cincinnati. Happ never got a single look from a team coming out of high school, but pro baseball’s loss was the Bearcats’ gain. In his three seasons with Cincinnati Happ was a First-Team All-American twice, a Freshman All-American, an Academic All-American, the American conference’s player of the year and won the Golden Spikes Award.
“I was a western PA kid (coming out of high school),” Happ said. “I didn’t travel around a lot or go to any of the showcases. For me, I was happy to have an opportunity to play Division I college baseball. I was able to get some exposure there.”
With his trophy cabinet full, Happ was a hot prospect entering the 2015 draft. He knew he’d go high and he had a good feeling about where he’d end up.
“I had a little bit of an idea because I had worked out with the Cubs the previous week and had been to Wrigley,” Happ said. “I felt good about it. It was a special experience and moment to spend with my family. There were a lot of tears and a lot of smiles. It was a lot of hard work coming to fruition.”
Was told before the season Ian Happ was a long shot to make it to Des Moines this year. Might be forcing the issue with how he's playing.
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) July 4, 2016
The final game of his nine game streak was a highlight all its own. Happ went 3-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored. His current four-game streak is highlighted with a 3-for-5 game against the Jackson Generals on July 5. In all, Happ has only gone hitless in three of his last 18 games.
“The calmness, the approach he (Happ) has at the plate doesn’t change,” Smokies manager Mark Johnson said. “It doesn’t matter who’s on the mound or the situation. He’s very confident and he takes what the pitcher gives him. He doesn’t chase a ball out of the zone and he’s ready for the pitch when he does get it. His approach is high level.”
One thing that's easy to forget about Ian Happ is that he is a year younger than most of the college picks in his draft class. Still only 21
— Die hard cubs fan (@Diehardcubsfan3) June 28, 2016
It’s no coincidence that Happ’s arrival has helped the Smokies jump out to a strong start in the Southern League North second half. Tennessee picked up just its third series win of the season with Happ in the line up and rang up five straight wins.
“It’s an exciting organization,” Happ said. “They treat us very well. There’s not a better place to be, especially with the way our big league team is competing and performing. You keep yourself positive and try to enjoy the moment. See the ball, hit the ball and hopefully they fall.”
