Matt Shaw is expected to make his highly anticipated MLB debut for the Chicago Cubs during the Tokyo series. The 23-year-old infielder is the top-ranked prospect in the Cubs organization and he enters 2025 with enormous expectations.
MLB Network had this to say about Shaw:
Shaw, a first-round pick by Chicago in the 2023 Amateur Draft, was terrific in triple-A and double-A in 2024. In 86 games for Tennessee of the Southern League, Shaw hit .279 with a .841 OPS, 14 home runs, and 25 stolen bases.
Then, he was promoted to Iowa of the International League and continued his warpath to the Big Leagues. His .298 batting average, .929 OPS, seven home runs, and six steals over 35 games, coupled with an impressive 2025 spring training, have made the Cubs confident in their young buck.
This is a guy who was playing collegiate baseball just two years ago and will now start at third base for Chicago. He should be somewhere near the bottom of the lineup and his bat-to-ball skills and speed should prove valuable this year.
The top of the order will be solid with Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, and Kyle Tucker leading the way and if the Cubs can get offense from youngsters such as Shaw and Pete Crow-Armstrong, this could be a formidable unit.
Defensively, he is probably a second baseman by trade with his smaller stature (5-foot-9) and relatively weak arm strength. However, Nico Hoerner will resume his role at the four upon return from flexor tendon surgery, and with third base prospect Cam Smith off to the Houston Astros, Shaw has a clear path at third.
The other options at the hot corner include sturdy veteran Justin Turner, Gage Workman, and maybe, in a bind, Vidal Bruján could see time there.
However, none of these players possess Shaw's ceiling and he will deservedly have every opportunity to become a fixture on this team.
That journey starts tomorrow morning in Tokyo.
