Flashback to Opening Day in Miami last year. Ian Happ steps into the box, leading off for the Chicago Cubs. Before fans could even get comfortable, he homered on the first pitch of the season. A moonshot that led way to Chicago’s first win.
At the time, fans were buzzing and expecting big things out of Happ following his 24 homers and 68 RBI debut campaign in 2017. Unfortunately, his offensive production took a hit, resulting in nine fewer home runs and two dozen fewer RBI in 27 more games and 23 additional at-bats. After an early postseason exit and long offseason, it was time for the boys to get back to work.