When Ian Happ (45.7% owned – increase of 25%) was called up in May of this year, we fantasy nerds were giddy with excitement. I imagine it was the same tingly sensation boys felt when they first saw a young Britney Spears on the Mickey Mouse Club. Unfortunately, Happ proceeded to bat .214 with only two home runs in his first month of major league experience. The dread was comparable to “young boy with tingly sensation” realizing that Britney was probably “studying” with fellow Mickey Mouse Club’er Justin Timberlake. In the month of June, though, Happ is batting .277. More specifically, since June 13th, he is batting .316 with five home runs. He’s had at least one hit in 12 of the past 14 games.
Happ just keeps hitting…and hitting…and hitting. Now, he’s still striking out close to 30% of the time, the swinging strike rate is around 15%, and he chases a shit load of pitches outside the zone (34%). With that said, he’s a switch-hitter, so the risk of getting platooned is minimal. In addition, Joe Maddon bats him third against righties and fifth against lefties. Granted, Maddon bats Rizzo and Contreras leadoff at times, so take that however you want to take it. He obviously has Maddon’s trust. Or at least he’s got some pictures somewhere. Regardless, the how is not important. The Cubs offense stinks right now, but it’s not going to stay that way forever. Wait. How long was it between World Series championships again? Seriously, though, the heat of summer should be good for that offense. And when it does, Happ should benefit, as long as he doesn’t end up chilling with Kyle Schwarber. TREASURE…like this:
Here are few others that caught my eye on the most added/dropped list:
Trey Mancini (69.4% owned – increase of 21.9%)
Here are Mancini’s numbers by month:
- April – .216/.245/.549 with five home runs
- May – .342/.398.479 with two home runs
- June – .360.400/.685 with seven home runs
The overall .319 batting average is probably unsustainable, as it’s fueled by a .386 BABIP. He’s probably more a .270-ish hitter. With that said, he’s batting fifth in a potentially potent Orioles lineup. Camden Yards is very good for right-handed power. The most encouraging thing for Mancini’s future prospects is that he mashes righties (.348 average with 10 of his 14 homers against). TREASURE
Kyle Schwarber (51.8% owned – decrease of 21.6%)
I’m surprised Schwarber is still owned in over 50% of leagues. Yes, he has power, has a good eye, a decent swinging strike rate, yet he was still striking out 29% of the time. He still cannot hit lefites as well (.143 average with only one of his 12 home runs against). The overall wOBA was only .294. Oh, did I forget to mention that he got demoted? His defense also sucks. In this environment, I would think it’d be difficult for anyone to stash Schwarber on their roster. TRASH
Scooter Gennett (31.9% owned – increase of 18.4%)
It’s been fun riding our little Scooter this year. .307 average with 11 home runs and that memorable game with not one…not two…not three…but four home runs. Alas, it’s time to jump off the Scooter. Is it because they are dangerous vehicles that could get you decapitated? Wrong scooter. My bad. Is it the .273 ISO and .387 wOBA that our little Scooter has on the season? He’s 5′ 10″ 185 pounds. No, it’s the return of Zack Cozart, who will man the shortstop position and two-hole in the batting order. Jose Peraza will more than likely platoon with our little Scooter, which is obviously not a good thing. TRASH.
