By the end of the Cubs’ second spring training game of 2019, Ian Happ had already notched as many innings at second base (3) as he did in all of 2018.
It’s still unknown how much he’ll really be included in the second-base picture once the regular season starts, but at the very least, Happ has an opportunity to earn playing time there.
And, even more important, the 24-year-old Happ is finding his voice and coming into his own with the Cubs.
Happ is typically pretty reserved and soft-spoken, especially in the media. He is the type to let his play do the talking for him and he definitely bought into the old school ways of the game — keep your head down and do your work as a young player, learning and listening instead of talking.