The Yakker

What’s Happ’ning

Whenever a major league team allows Chan Ho Park to waste away in one of their starting rotation spots, a variety of thoughts cross my mind. They aren’t limited to: (A) Mike Maroth wasn’t available, (B) Even Horacio Ramirez got a raise after a 2007 season that ranked among the 13 worst in the history of modern baseball, including a 1.85 WHIP, and (C) there has to be a young prospect with more potential than Park.

Luckily after much deliberation, the Phillies chose (C).

JA Happ has finally seemed to get his game back after an elbow injury dating back to 2007 served as a significant bump in the road. In 21.7 innings so far this season, Happ has gone 2-0 record with a 2.49 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and is certainly a guy fantasy owners should be watching.

Reasons I’d be hesitant to plug him into your lineup immediately include a slight fly-ball tendency and lack of a true out pitch. It’s tough to imagine him being as worthless as Park, but his starting debut against the Yankees this weekend should go a long way towards determining how much long-term value he possesses.

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