RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~280
CURRENT ADP: ~323 overall
ANALYSIS:
Ian Happ burst onto the scene in 2017, hitting 24 home runs in 115 games, and many people were ready to anoint him as a long-time legitimate fantasy asset. Then his swing-and-miss tendencies got the better of him in 2018, he wound up in the minors in 2019, and now people have already forgotten about him.
However, Happ still knows how to hit.
He played 57 games over the second half of 2019 after being recalled from the minors and showed improved patience and plate discipline, cutting his K% from 36.8% in 2018 to 25%. During the 26 games he played last September and October, Happ hit .311/.348/..672 with six home runs, nine runs, and 17 RBI to help the 25-year-old take home NL Player of the Week honors to wrap up the regular season.
The 25-year-old seems likely to be the Cubs' centerfielder in 2020, which would give him a path to regular playing time. Considering he also stole nine bases in 99 Triple-A games as well, his overall skill set would help him to be a real fantasy treat. If he gets 500+ at-bats, it's easy to see a 20-home run, 10-stolen base season for Happ with a good chance for 80+ RBI in a solid lineup. That’s a better overall line than projection systems are giving Wil Myers and he’s going off the board at pick 276.
I’d rather have Happ straight up.
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