May 2, 2025
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Ian Happ went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Thursday's 8-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. He added two singles, scored twice, struck out, and drew a walk. The 30-year-old stuffed the stat sheet on Thursday, but like most of his teammates, did most of his damage once Pirates starter
Paul Skenes exited the contest. Happ has been a run-scoring machine in 2025, collecting 26 in 32 outings -- one behind fellow outfielder
Kyle Tucker for fifth-most in the league. He's traded some of his power for contact this season, bolstering a .279 average with an xBA of .297 (88th percentile). Furthermore, the former first-round pick has dipped his strikeout rate to a solid 16.7%. If those figures hold, they'd easily be career-bests.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
April 18, 2025
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Ian Happ hit a grand slam en route to a massive day at the plate in the Cubs' 13-11 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Happ went three-for-five at the plate with four RBI and two runs. He's now hitting for a .691 OPS on the season. The 30-year-old's big day was much needed as he's performed below his norms to start this season, coming in with a .631 OPS, well below the .782 OPS he posted in 2024. He'll have a tough test keeping this up on Saturday against Arizona's scheduled starter
Zac Gallen. Happ is just 3-16 in his career against Gallen. Fantasy managers will still want him in their starting lineups but DFS managers may be able to find better options to plug into their lineups.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
March 28, 2025
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Ian Happ delivered two big hits in Thursday night's 10-6 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Happ went 2-for-5 with a double and a home run. He also scored two runs, had three RBI, and a walk. The whole Cubs offense got going in this one after not producing much in their first two regular-season games in Tokyo, Japan. As expected, Happ was batting in the leadoff position, where he was expected to be throughout spring training. Happ's switch-hitting ability should keep him at the top of the order against right-handed and left-handed pitchers.
Kyle Tucker is batting behind him, so he should see more pitches to hit and score more runs than in past seasons with the Cubs. Happ is off to a good start to the season, going 4-for-12 in his first three games. He will look to keep the momentum going throughout the weekend in Arizona.
--Nicho Roessler - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
February 3, 2025
According to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, Chicago Cubs outfielder
Ian Happ could open the season as the leadoff hitter. Happ saw time as the leadoff man last season but eventually ceded that role to
Pete Crow-Armstrong during the second half of the season. Sharma noted that manager Craig Counsel "wants to keep the pressure off" Crow-Armstrong and ensure that he continues to develop. As a result, Happ has a good opportunity to open the season in the top spot in the batting order. Sharma also noted that second baseman
Nico Hoerner could also be an option, but he may not be ready for Opening Day due to an elbow injury. Last season, Happ posted a .243/.341/.441 slash line with a career-best 25 home runs and 13 stolen bases. Given his elite on-base skills, Happ could produce a high total of runs while batting in front of
Kyle Tucker and
Seiya Suzuki.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Sahadev Sharma
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