Introduction to Ian Happ’s Slump
Cubs switch hitter Ian Happ paused in the batter’s box, clearly unhappy with the strike three call. Royals starter Seth Lugo’s putaway curveball did appear to clip the edge of the strike zone in the sixth inning of the Cubs’ 8-4 loss Wednesday to the Royals. But Happ’s eye isn’t often wrong — even during slumps.
Showing Signs of Emerging from Slump
He’s working to claw out of one now but has kept his adjustments subtle. On Wednesday, he went 0-for-2 with two walks and a hard-hit lineout. He was one of three Cubs who reached base twice. “It’s really easy when you’re not getting results to chase around physical things and get yourself further away from where you need to be,” Happ said of this recent stretch. “Strikeout rate’s the lowest in my career, walk rate’s in line, hard hit’s good, ground ball rate’s the lowest in my career — so what do you chase?”
Recent Performance
His results in the batter’s box the last eight games may not have been overwhelming, but they’ve certainly been promising. Manager Craig Counsell gave Happ a day off in New York before the All-Star break and moved him from the leadoff spot to the bottom half of the batting order, after he recorded only two hits in a 10-game stretch. Immediately after the change, he went on a six-game hitting streak.
Statistical Analysis
Happ’s strikeout rate this month (17.6% entering Wednesday) is actually down, compared to the previous two months, according to Statcast. His walk rate (13.2%) is up. And his expected batting average (.263) is far higher than his actual (.152). “It’s really hard to be stubborn to the process when things aren’t going well,” said Happ, acknowledging that in a slump like this earlier might have led him to over-tinker. “So just trying to be really disciplined in that.”
Tucker Out of Lineup
Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker was out of the lineup Wednesday after fouling off a pitch into his right knee but still finishing the game Tuesday. “He’s just kind of generally banged up, so an opportunity to get him most of two days off here,” Counsell said. “He’ll be back for sure on Friday.” That meant that Seiya Suzuki, who has served primarily as the Cubs’ designated hitter this year, started in the outfield for the second time this series. But after a strong day in center field Monday, Suzuki dropped the first ball hit to him in right field Wednesday.
Crow-Armstrong Raises the Bar
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s solo home run in the eighth inning was his 27th of the season, setting a new high water mark for Cubs players his age. Before Wednesday, no Cub in his age-23 season or younger had hit more than 26 home runs in a season, the previous record set by Kris Bryant in 2015.
Draft Picks Signed
The Cubs announced Wednesday that they’d agreed to terms with first-round pick Ethan Conrad (No. 17 overall) and nine other 2025 MLB Draft selections. Those agreements included all but two of their first 10 selections, right-hander Kaleb Wing (fourth round) out of Scotts Valley High School and outfielder Josiah Hartshorn (sixth round) out of Orange Lutheran High School.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ian Happ is showing signs of emerging from his slump. Despite not getting the results he wants, Happ has kept his adjustments subtle and is working to stay disciplined in his process. With his strikeout rate down and walk rate up, Happ is on the right track to getting out of his slump.
FAQs
Q: What is Ian Happ’s current strikeout rate?
A: Ian Happ’s strikeout rate this month is 17.6%, which is down compared to the previous two months.
Q: How many home runs has Pete Crow-Armstrong hit this season?
A: Pete Crow-Armstrong has hit 27 home runs this season, setting a new high water mark for Cubs players his age.
Q: How many draft picks have the Cubs agreed to terms with?
A: The Cubs have agreed to terms with 10 draft picks, including first-round pick Ethan Conrad.
