Ian Happ, OF, Chicago Cubs
The slow start
Ian Happ led off the 2018 MLB season with a home run on Opening Day. Things got a little tougher for the outfielder from there, though. He managed a 92 wRC+ in 74 plate appearances, but it came with a 6.8% walk rate and a 44.6% strikeout rate that was the second-worst in baseball among players with 70-plus plate appearances.
The recovery
The young left-handed hitter has turned things around rather quickly. He’s entering Friday’s action with a 189 wRC+ and .429 ISO (.159 in April) through 74 May plate appearances.
One very noticeable change is his on-base percentage — it’s gone from .297 in April to its current .438 mark so far this month. That’s mostly because he’s been walking at an astonishing 21.9% clip. And although his 34.4% strikeout rate is still too high, that number is much better than it was in April and closer to his rate as a rookie (31.2%).
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