March 12, 2007
EVANSTON, Ill. - Former Wildcat standout and current Philadelphia Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ is featured on Phillies.com. The left-handed hurler was invited to spring training with the parent club and is making the most of his stay.
Happ is currently writing a blog for the Phillies during spring training. This blog can be accessed at
Happ was drafted in the third round (92nd overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2004 Major League Baseball Draft, just the third overall Big Ten player selected. In that 2004 season, he was voted first-team All-Big Ten as a starting pitcher and became the first Wildcat in history to be named first-team All-Big Ten in three straight seasons. In his final season as a Wildcat--his junior year--Happ led the Big Ten in ERA (2.68) and strikeouts (106) in 94.0 innings pitched. It was the second time in his career Happ had led the Big Ten in ERA (also as a freshman). His 106 Ks was three short of the single-season school record and made him just the second Wildcat to ever strike out over 100 batters in a season. He ended his career seventh in career ERA (2.88) and fourth in career strikeouts (251), pitching 228.1 innings.