Ian Happ profile

With the 9th pick in the draft the Cubs selected Ian Happ, 2B/LF out of the University of Cincinnati. Who is he, really?

The first thing to note is that he’s a junior. It’s possible that he could go back to school and come out again just next year, but I find it very unlikely. Not only are there no signability concerns from any of the major sources, he’s already tweeted that #heisgood and it seems like he should be signed in short order. The Cubs don’t have a very large bonus pool (9th pick and no comp picks), so there probably isn’t a lot of room to underslot and take big gambles like the Cubs have done in the past. I would expect fewer of those tough signs in general (last year the Cubs had Steele/Sands/Cease).

The second thing to note is that he’s probably just a left-fielder. He played 2B for Cincinnati freshman and sophomore year, but moved to the outfield this season. A corner outfield profile means that he’s going to really have to hit to make it in the majors. Fortunately for him, he’s mashed ever since he’s been in college.

He also stole 56 bases in his collegiate career, but was nabbed often (18 CS) so hopefully he gets better at it or stops doing it altogether.

His SLG was 10th in Division I this year (Donnie Dewees, the Cubs second round pick, was first).

The last thing to not is that he’s a switch hitter. It’s not uncommon for switch-hitters to choose a side when they start their professional careers, but the scouting consensus is that Ian isn’t Happless (had to get one in there) from either side of the plate, and he’s polished enough to hit from both sides at least to start. He has more HR pop from the left side, and doubles power from the right.

This is a weak draft, and it’s probably impossible to expect Happ to move like this regime’s previous 1st round picks. That said, the Cubs can afford to take their time and develop Happ for a few years and see what they have.