Cubs’ Happ leads list of AFL title game top performers

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Cubs have more quality young hitters than they can squeeze into one lineup, and the logjam is only going to get worse. Ian Happ may be blocked at second base by Javier Baez and in the outfield corners by Kyle Schwarber, Jorge Soler, Jason Heyward and the rising Eloy Jimenez.

But if Happ can continue to translate his tools into performance like he did during Saturday’s Arizona Fall League championship game, Chicago will have to find room for him. Happ drilled a pair of 400-foot home runs — one from each side of the plate — singled and doubled in his other two at-bats, and scored three runs and drove in three more as his Mesa Solar Sox beat the Surprise Saguaros, 6-1, for their first league title since 2003.

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The No. 9 overall pick in the 2015 Draft, Happ homered left-handed against Alex McRae (Pirates) in the third inning and right-handed off Mason Melotakis (Twins) in the seventh inning, with both blasts easily clearing the Scottsdale Stadium fence in right-center. Happ showed good balance and bat speed from both sides, which combined with his solid speed could make him a 20-20 player.

He’s less accomplished defensively, with most scouts grading Happ as a fringy defender at second base …

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