Chicago Cubs third base prospect Matt Shaw went 2-for-4 with two RBI during their 10-2 victory over the Athletics on Wednesday afternoon. In the third inning, Shaw hit an RBI single, which scored Justin Turner. Later in the seventh, he would bring outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong home on his second single. Since posting a .118/.167/.118 slash line through his first four games in the major leagues, the former first-round pick has begun to flip the script. Over his last five games, the Maryland product has posted an impressive .294/.429/.529 slash line with one double and one long ball. He has held a 4:5 BB:K over this stretch. Last summer, the 23-year-old posted an elite .298/.395/.534 line through his first 35 games at Triple-A. Fantasy managers should continue to expect the Cubs to provide Shaw an everyday opportunity at the hot corner, as long as he continues this production.
Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The rookie slugger will get a day off after playing in the first four games to begin the season. Gage Workman will cover third base and bat eighth versus right-hander Brandon Pfaadt. Workman put on a solid performance in spring training, but probably isn't going to offer much fantasy value in a bench role. The expectation is that Shaw will return to the lineup after his rest day here.
Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw was officially added to the Cubs' 40-man roster and 26-man roster prior to the club's first game in Tokyo, Japan. This doesn't come as a shock, as the team announced last week that he would be making the Opening Day roster. Shaw is one of the game's top prospects, as he slashed .284/.379/.488 with 21 home runs and 31 steals in 121 games between Double-A and Triple-A in 2024. He also showed off excellent plate discipline with an 11.9% walk rate and 18.2% strikeout rate. His profile looks very nice for fantasy, as he has 20/20 upside if everything breaks right for him in his rookie year.
Chicago Cubs third base prospect Matt Shaw (oblique) will travel with the team to Tokyo, Japan, for the season-opening two-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 18 and 19, according to manager Craig Counsell. Shaw suffered a mild oblique injury early in camp but has returned to Cactus League action and should start for the Cubbies at third base on March 18. The 23-year-old has played in four spring training games and has gone only 2-for-12 with two RBI and a run scored, but the most important thing is that he's healthy and ready to go for the start of the 2025 regular season. Despite having never played in a big-league game, Shaw should be relevant in all fantasy leagues right away after hitting .284/.379/.488 with 21 home runs and 31 steals at Double-A and Triple-A in 2024. MLB Pipeline has Shaw ranked as the No. 19 overall prospect this year.
Matt Shaw Not Guaranteed To Be Ready For Tokyo Series
The Athletic's Patrick Mooney writes that Chicago Cubs third base prospect Matt Shaw (oblique) isn't guaranteed to be ready for the season-opening two-game series in Tokyo, Japan, on March 18 and 19 versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to team officials. Shaw entered spring training as the favorite to earn the third base job for the Cubbies, but then he suffered a setback in mid-February with oblique discomfort. He sat out the first 10 days of Cactus League action and has only nine plate appearances with only five days to go until the team leaves for Japan. Shaw has no major-league experience and isn't on the 40-man roster, so Chicago may proceed slowly with the young infielder. However, the good news for fantasy managers that already have Shaw in dynasty leagues is that the Cubs want him to win this competition and expect him to be their everyday third baseman for years to come. The former first-rounder has 25-25 potential.
Chicago Cubs third base prospect Matt Shaw (oblique) made his spring training debut on Sunday afternoon against the Cincinnati Reds. The top prospect was held out of action early in camp due to an oblique injury. However, seeing him return early in the Cactus League suggests he should be a full-go by Opening Day. At the plate, Shaw went 0-for-3. The 23-year-old is viewed as the team's starting third baseman as they traded Isaac Paredes to the Houston Astros as part of a package to acquire superstar Kyle Tucker earlier in the offseason. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his production during camp as a slow start could encourage the team to ease him into regular season action. Last season, Shaw spent most of the campaign at Double-A and eventually earned a promotion to Triple-A. In 35 games with Triple-A Iowa, Shaw held a strong .298/.395/.534 line with seven home runs and six stolen bases. If Shaw were to be moved to a reserve role, Justin Turner would be the top candidate to see starting opportunities at the hot corner.
Chicago Cubs third base prospect Matt Shaw (oblique) said that he will start playing in Cactus League games in the next few days without any restrictions. Shaw is a bit behind the other position players in spring training while dealing with a minor oblique injury since Feb. 5. Oblique injuries can be tricky, but it appears that the 23-year-old should be ready in plenty of time for the March 18 season opener in Tokyo, Japan, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. If he's ready to go by then, Shaw is expected to be the favorite to open the year as the team's starting third baseman after the Cubs traded Isaac Paredes to the Houston Astros in the offseason to acquire outfielder Kyle Tucker. Shaw absolutely should have fantasy value in all formats in his first full season in the big leagues in 2025 as long as he's playing regularly, as he has the tools to be 25-homer, 25-stolen base man.
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that third base prospect Matt Shaw (oblique) is "doing great" hitting in the batting cages and throwing at camp. Shaw, the No. 19 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, injured his oblique early in spring training but has already resumed baseball activities and should be fine for Opening Day on March 18 in Tokyo, Japan, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, barring any setbacks once he starts playing in games. Chicago recently signed Justin Turner, who has played third base primarily in his career, although he could be more of a platoon option at first base and designated hitter for the team if Shaw moves past his oblique injury during spring training. Shaw, 23, has the potential to be a 25-homer, 25-steal guy for fantasy managers sooner than later, which means he'll be relevant in all mixed leagues if he's the starting third baseman to kick things off in 2025.
Matt Shaw Cleared To Begin Light Hitting On Saturday
670 The Score's Bruce Levine reports that Chicago Cubs third base prospect Matt Shaw (oblique) has been cleared to begin light hitting at spring training on Saturday after he strained his oblique on Monday. Shaw sat out the last four days but appears to be good to go again. The Cubs were listing him as day-to-day. Oblique injuries can be tricky for players, but it's good to see that the 23-year-old will resume swinging this weekend. Barring a setback in camp, Shaw will have plenty of time to get ready for the team's 2025 season opener in Tokyo, Japan, versus the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 18. After the Cubs didn't sign Alex Bregman to play third base, Shaw is the clear front-runner to begin the year as Chicago's starting third baseman. Fantasy managers should take notice, as Shaw has the tools to hit 25 homers and steal 25 bases in the big leagues sooner than later.
According to USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale, Chicago Cubs prized third base prospect Matt Shaw (oblique) is considered day-to-day with an oblique issue that the Cubs don't believe is serious. Although the Cubs don't think it's a serious injury for Shaw, it's certainly something to keep a close eye on this spring for the 23-year-old, who is a front-runner to be the team's Opening Day third baseman if he's healthy. If healthy, Shaw has the potential to be a 25-homer, 25-stolen base infielder for fantasy managers sooner than later. If his injury lingers and forces him to begin the 2025 season on the injured list, Jon Berti is probably the most likely to see valuable starts at the hot corner in Chicago. In 121 games at Double-A and Triple-A in 2024, Shaw hit an impressive .284/.379/.488 with 21 long balls and 31 stolen bases.
