Ian Happ Remains An Underrated Cubs Player

Ian Happ Remains An Underrated Cubs Player

The Chicago Cubs win yet again.

The Cubs extended their home win streak to 10 games on Saturday afternoon behind Ian Happ's bat. The 31-year-old carried Chicago’s offense in the team’s 2-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

There wasn’t much offense in Saturday’s game on a cool day at Wrigley Field. However, Happ was locked in from the get-go. He went 3-for-3 with one double, one triple, one home run, and one walk in this game.

Happ was just a single away from the cycle and was on another level at the plate. He had the two hardest hit balls in the game, and all three of his balls in play had exit velocities over 102 mph.

His 399-foot home run in the second inning came off the bat at 110.6 mph. His double in the sixth inning had a 107.6 mph exit velocity, and his triple in the eighth inning was a 102.6 mph rocket in the right-center gap.

Happ’s 3-for-3 day caps off an impressive game for him. He is now slashing .246/.373/.517 with eight home runs, six doubles, 15 RBI, and 20 walks across 31 games this season and has a current 15-game on-base streak.

The 10-year veteran remains one of the most underrated players on this Cubs team. While he will go through his slumps throughout the year, Happ always seems to finish with the same offensive numbers.

He hit .248 with 21 home runs, 35 doubles, 84 RBI, and 14 stolen bases across 158 games in 2022, had a .243 batting average with 25 home runs, 34 doubles, 86 RBI, and 13 stolen bases across 153 games in 2023, and finished with a .243 batting average with 23 home runs, 32 doubles, 79 RBI, and six stolen bases across 150 games in 2025.

Happ has also won four straight Gold Glove awards for his play in left field. He has emerged as a top defensive outfielder in the game and could earn his fifth straight Gold Glove this year. The Cubs left fielder currently ranks in the 81st percentile in Fielding Run Value (2).

There’s no doubt that Happ has been a consistent player for the Cubs over the last few years. He has finished with a 3.5 WAR or better in four straight seasons and has already accumulated a 1.2 WAR through the first five weeks in 2026.