If, before the season, you told me that Ian Happ would have five homers one week into the month of June, I wouldn’t have believed you. Like, at all.
And that’s not meant as a lack of faith in Happ, mind you, but to say his debut has exceeded expectations would probably be an understatement at this point (especially considering the fact that he’s basically playing a position he’s not meant to play – and doing it well).
But it’s his prowess at the plate that’s been the most impressive:
#Cubs Happ now tied with Contreras and Heyward with 5 HRs this season
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) June 8, 2017
In any case, Happ hit his fifth homer of the season in the fifth inning today, and it was a beautiful, no-doubter, opposite field blast.
You can watch it on MLB.com here, or check it out below:
Ian Happ pic.twitter.com/VSyWJFWH9r
— Kevin Marchina (@kg_holler) June 8, 2017
The homer was Happ’s first hit of the night and it brought the Cubs within two runs of the Marlins. According to Statcast, it came off the bat at 103 MPH and traveled 388 feet.
Happ is now slashing .243/.346/.557 through 81 plate appearances this season, which is good for a 135 wRC+.