Ian Happ would really like to stay in the Major Leagues, please-and-thank-you.
Although I can’t say for sure the Cubs are going to manage that one when everyone returns to health, I can say that the 22-year-old infielder-outfielder-switch-hitter is making the most of the time he’s getting. Tasked with center field and clean-up tonight, Happ decided to do what he did in his road debut here in his home debut: hit a dinger.
And, for tonight’s installment, he took advantage of the hard wind while reaching out and poking with his easy opposite field power (and ability to lift the ball, as we discussed earlier today).
Here’s a look at the popped shot:
Welcome to the Friendly Confines, @ihapp_1! pic.twitter.com/3BSCoa6BcA
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 17, 2017
That’s why they call them the Friendly Confines, Ian – you probably won’t have a less-well-struck homer in your hopefully long and prosperous career.
Which is not to say that wasn’t a good shot. He hit the ball reasonably hard, went with the pitch, and got elevation:
— Cubs Exit Velocity (@cubsexitvelo) May 17, 2017
Here’s to many more for Happ, be they in the coming weeks, or further down the road.