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By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com | March 21st, 2016
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MESA, Ariz. -- Ian Happ, the Cubs' top pick in last June's Draft, is back at second base. He's doing extra work every day and is making the most of his first Spring Training, and he has received one at-bat in a Cactus League game.
The only downside is that Happ can't call home and share the day's events with his dad. Ian's father Keith died in October of brain cancer. He was 58.
"I used to debrief my dad every day after practice," said Ian, sitting in the dugout at one of the Cubs' Minor League fields. "He loved knowing what was going on. He would come watch practice in high school, but whether it was college or professional ball, I would always call and let him know. I still talk to my mom and my brother. It's definitely been an adjustment."
The Cubs knew about Keith Happ's battle with cancer when they drafted Ian. Last July, the team invited the family to Wrigley Field to watch Ian take batting practice there with the big league team before he joined Class A South Bend. Happ had batted .283 in 29 games at Class A Short-Season Eugene before making the trip to Chicago.
The team wanted to give Keith a chance to see his son in a Major League ballpark.
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