The Cubs demoted Ian Happ to Triple-A on Saturday and with the roster move it opened up a spot on the bench for Opening Day. The team is reportedly keeping an eye out on the waiver wire to add a right-handed outfielder for more depth, but at this point it appears as though Mark Zagunis will be Happ's replacement.
Zagunis, 26, was picked in the third round of the 2014 draft by the Cubs out of Virginia Tech.
The right-handed hitter has been up with the big league club twice in 2017 and 2018, but it was in a very limited role, only getting 19 at-bats in 12 MLB games. Last year at Triple-A, Zagunis hit .272, with a great .395 OBP. He's never had a problem getting on base, with a career .400 OBP in 485 minor league games. However, Zagunis hasn't really shown a lot of power. That is until a sudden surge during spring training. Yeah, it's only spring training, but this spring training cost Happ a MLB roster spot and Zagunis has seemingly won it. Zagunis slashed .357/.440/.738, with four home runs and four doubles in 42 at-bats. So, Zagunis will be on the Opening Day roster against the Rangers and I guess there is a slim chance he could even be in the lineup against left-handed pitcher Mike Minor. But again, very slim chance despite Zagunis being very good against lefties.
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