![Ian Happ is still struggling in the Cubs farm system. [Image via Keith Allison/Flikr]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/4/28/660x290/b_502x220x82/ian-happ-is-still-struggling-in-the-cubs-farm-system-image-via-keith-allisonflikr_2255731.jpg "Ian Happ is still struggling in the Cubs farm system. [Image via Keith Allison/Flikr]")
While the Chicago Cubs seems to have righted the ship a bit when it comes to the 2019 season, Ian Happ is starting to look like he might spend the rest of the season in AAA. Happ was sent down [VIDEO] to Iowa at the end of Spring Training with some things to work on.
By all accounts, he had the right attitude when he accepted the demotion. He had the right attitude and seemed to know what he had to do in order to get back to the big league club. As the minor league season rolls on, there is some question as to whether or not he is able to do what he needs to do.
Chicago Cubs prospect striking out too much
Yes, it's still early in Iowa's season but Ian Happ is now batting just .218 on the year. Even more concerning is that his on-base percentage is just .315 and his slugging is at a minuscule .385 on the year. Those numbers have got to have the Chicago Cubs concerned.
This was a player that was the leadoff hitter for the Cubs last season. Now he's having problems being even the best player on the Iowa Cubs. If the slashline has fans a bit concerned, his strikeout rate likely has them near panic. There has long been a hole in his swing and it was thought he could sort it out in the minor leagues.
Instead, he's struck out 28 times in 89 plate appearances.
That means he's still boasting a 31.5 percent K rate. There is some good news perhaps. Happ has been hitting a bit better over the last week. He's only had six strikeouts and five walks in that time.
Nico Hoerner suffers a setback
While Ian Happ has been struggling, another one of the Chicago Cubs' touted prospects has been having himself a pretty good 2019 so far.
That was until Nico Hoerner suffered an injury and had to be placed on the IL. He left the Middle Tennessee game on Tuesday after he was hit on the wrist by a pitch.
The good news is that the franchise has claimed he has not suffered any structural damage and is expected to be back at the beginning of May. That means he could be coming back in the next few days.
That's good news indeed for a prospect that has been making short work of AA.
In 18 games so far this season, Hoerner has slashed .300/.391/.500 and has struck out just eight times while walking seven times. This is after the Cubs' prospect had himself one heck of a Spring Training.
The team has made it clear that they don't want to rush him. In fact, if they did rush him, it's hard to know where exactly he would play. The Chicago Cubs are already trying to find playing time for middle infielders. Daniel Descalso, David Bote, Ben Zobrist, Javier Baez are all battling it out for middle infield starts. Add Addison Russel to the mix and there is a full house in that group. Instead of hoping to add to the mix, the Cubs are just hoping the Nico Hoerner can come back from his injury and continue to rake.
