Ian Happ Wins 2022 National League Gold Glove
Ian Happ was the only Gold Glove finalist for the Chicago Cubs this season, with Nico Hoerner getting the somewhat surprising snub. Today, Happ was named the 2022 National League Gold Glove Award winner for left field. A well-deserved honor for Happ as he heads into what could be his final season as a Cub.
Put some gold on his name!
Congratulations to @ihapp_1, who wins his first career @RawlingsSports Gold Glove Award. 👏 pic.twitter.com/9h0lG5u7xU
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) November 1, 2022
Here’s the official press release from the Chicago Cubs:
CHICAGO – Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ today was named a 2022 National League Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner.
This marks Happ’s first career Gold Glove Award, becoming the fourth Cubs outfielder to earn the honor and the first since Jason Heyward received the award in consecutive seasons from 2016-17. Along with Heyward, Happ joins Bob Dernier (1984) and two-time winner Andre Dawson (1987-88) as the lone Cubs outfielders to be honored with the Gold Glove.
A 2022 N.L. All-Star, Happ finished the season with 13 defensive runs saved in left field according to Fangraphs, the highest mark among N.L. left fielders and second-most among all players at the position (Cleveland’s Steven Kwan, 21). Happ’s eight outfield assists were second-most among N.L. left fielders (San Diego’s Jurickson Profar, 10). He tied for first among N.L. left fielders with 146 games played, led with 2.00 putouts per 9.0 innings and was second with 1,245.1 innings played at the position.
Happ, who was selected by the Cubs in the first round (9th overall) of the 2015 Draft, becomes the first Cub to win a Gold Glove since shortstop Javier Báez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo accomplished the feat following the 60-game 2020 regular season. Happ becomes the second player from the University of Cincinnati to receive the award, joining Kevin Youkilis who earned the honor for first base with Boston in 2007.
