The ballpark was largely empty. Seven Chicago Cubs players and coaches were on the field for live BP, highlighted by pitchers Zach Davies and Trevor Williams. Meanwhile, a couple of front-office executives, including president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, watched from the section behind home plate. Unlike last spring, when Happ was competing to win the starting job in center field, the 26-year-old switch hitter didn’t need to try to impress the small group congregated in the stadium.
Ian Happ begins spring training in a new situation — locked into the Chicago Cubs starting lineup. ‘From a mental perspective … it’s definitely different.’
