MLB Video: Cubs’ Ian Happ stuns crowd with diving catch to deny Padres an extra-base hit

Ian Happ was savoring the near-certain victory of the Chicago Cubs over the San Diego Padres, with a commanding 7-0 lead on the scoreboard, when Gavin Sheets hit a ball deep into the outfield where Happ was stationed. He chased it down with the intensity of a player trying to secure the final out of a World Series.

Despite Happ’s impressive play, the Padres managed to score at least one run in the 7th inning. The Cubs were on fire with their defense as strong as ever, but Fernando Tatis Jr., with a single to right, gave Lockridge the chance to cross the plate.

The Chicago Cubs notched their fifth straight MLB victory, improving their early-season record to a respectable 7-4. This marks a positive beginning to their 2025 campaign.

Outfielder Ian Happ had a quieter day at the plate, contributing just one hit in four at-bats. He also drew a walk and struck out twice. His current batting average stands at .216 with an on-base percentage of .327.

Happ’s projection for 2025

Looking ahead, projections suggest Happ will see similar playing time to last season, where he had 657 plate appearances and batted .243. For 2025, expectations are for him to reach over 600 plate appearances and maintain a batting average of at least .249.

Richard “Richie” Tovar is a bilingual sports writer with over 13 years of experience and a bachelor’s degree in statistics. Born and raised in Venezuela, Richard has always had a deep connection with American sports, particularly the NFL, which he follows closely and covers extensively, along with College Football. Coming from a baseball-loving country, he also covers MLB every season. Since joining Bolavip US in 2021, Richard has continued to grow as a writer, showcasing his passion for numbers and statistics in many of his articles. Outside of sports, he enjoys programming, nature, going to the gym, and cooking homemade meals.