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Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ was one of the team’s most consistent hitters from 2023 to 2025.
Happ slashed a combined .244/.348/.431 with 69 home runs, 101 doubles, six triples, 249 RBI, and 33 stolen bases across those three seasons. He batted above .240 with at least 20 home runs, 75 RBI, 80 walks, and 85 runs scored in each of those three years.
In 2023, Happ hit .248 with 21 home runs, 35 doubles, 84 RBI, 14 stolen bases, 86 runs scored, and 99 walks across 158 games. In 2024, he batted .243 with 25 home runs, 34 doubles, 86 RBI, 13 stolen bases, 89 runs scored, and 80 walks across 153 games. In 2025, the veteran hit .243 with 23 home runs, 32 doubles, 79 RBI, six stolen bases, 87 runs scored, and 87 walks across 150 games.
Unfortunately, Happ has regressed severely at the plate this season. While the four-time Gold Glove winner continues to play top-tier defense in the outfield, his bat has been a serious liability for the Cubs throughout the year.
The 10-year veteran is slashing just .209/.320/.400 with 18 home runs, 21 doubles, 48 RBI, and four stolen bases in 113 games this season. He is on pace to finish with his lowest WAR since 2021, and his numbers over the last two months have not been up to his standards.
Happ is batting .188 with five home runs, 17 RBI, and two stolen bases over his last 57 contests since June 1. His strikeout rate sits at 34.5% during this stretch, and the Cubs left fielder is 0-for-20 at the plate this month.
Happ is not having a great year offensively. His expected batting average (.197), expected slugging percentage (.389), hard-hit rate (48.2%), launch angle sweet-spot rate (32.2%), squared-up rate (19.3%), whiff rate (31.2%), and strikeout rate (31.6%) are all huge steps down from his 2025 metrics.
Given how poorly he has been this year, the Cubs might need to limit his plate appearances down the stretch. Although Happ can get it going at any time, he is really hurting the team right now. He’s not hitting at all and continues to struggle with runners in scoring position. The former All-Star has a .180 batting average with 50 strikeouts across 117 at-bats with runners in scoring position in 2026.
The Cubs can’t keep rolling with Happ, especially with the team trying to catch the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central standings. Let Pedro Ramirez take some of Happ’s at-bats. The rookie gives Chicago a better chance to win than Happ right now.
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Happ slashed a combined .244/.348/.431 with 69 home runs, 101 doubles, six triples, 249 RBI, and 33 stolen bases across those three seasons. He batted above .240 with at least 20 home runs, 75 RBI, 80 walks, and 85 runs scored in each of those three years.
In 2023, Happ hit .248 with 21 home runs, 35 doubles, 84 RBI, 14 stolen bases, 86 runs scored, and 99 walks across 158 games. In 2024, he batted .243 with 25 home runs, 34 doubles, 86 RBI, 13 stolen bases, 89 runs scored, and 80 walks across 153 games. In 2025, the veteran hit .243 with 23 home runs, 32 doubles, 79 RBI, six stolen bases, 87 runs scored, and 87 walks across 150 games.
Unfortunately, Happ has regressed severely at the plate this season. While the four-time Gold Glove winner continues to play top-tier defense in the outfield, his bat has been a serious liability for the Cubs throughout the year.
The 10-year veteran is slashing just .209/.320/.400 with 18 home runs, 21 doubles, 48 RBI, and four stolen bases in 113 games this season. He is on pace to finish with his lowest WAR since 2021, and his numbers over the last two months have not been up to his standards.
Happ is batting .188 with five home runs, 17 RBI, and two stolen bases over his last 57 contests since June 1. His strikeout rate sits at 34.5% during this stretch, and the Cubs left fielder is 0-for-20 at the plate this month.
Happ is not having a great year offensively. His expected batting average (.197), expected slugging percentage (.389), hard-hit rate (48.2%), launch angle sweet-spot rate (32.2%), squared-up rate (19.3%), whiff rate (31.2%), and strikeout rate (31.6%) are all huge steps down from his 2025 metrics.
Given how poorly he has been this year, the Cubs might need to limit his plate appearances down the stretch. Although Happ can get it going at any time, he is really hurting the team right now. He’s not hitting at all and continues to struggle with runners in scoring position. The former All-Star has a .180 batting average with 50 strikeouts across 117 at-bats with runners in scoring position in 2026.
The Cubs can’t keep rolling with Happ, especially with the team trying to catch the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central standings. Let Pedro Ramirez take some of Happ’s at-bats. The rookie gives Chicago a better chance to win than Happ right now.
Continue reading...
