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.
Matt Shaw Viewed As The "Favorite" To Land Third Base Job
According to Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, Chicago Cubs third base prospect Matt Shaw is viewed as the "favorite" to land the starting third base job entering spring training. With the team parting ways with Isaac Paredes earlier in the offseason, it appears to be Shaw's job to lose. While the team has been in discussions with third baseman Alex Bregman, fantasy managers should expect Shaw to operate as the starting third baseman for now. Last season, the Maryland product received his first extended look at the upper levels of the minor leagues and did not disappoint. Across 86 games at Double-A, the former first-round selection held a .279/.373/.468 line. Then, in his first 35 contests at Triple-A, Shaw performed even better, holding a .298/.395/.534 line with eight doubles and seven home runs. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Shaw's progression during spring training, as he could see his ADP climb if he continues this production.
Matt Shaw To Receive "Long Look" At 3B In Spring Training
Chicago Cubs top prospect Matt Shaw will receive a "long look" at third base in spring training, according to general manager Jed Hoyer. "He has to earn that job, I'm not going to gift him that on a conference call in the middle of December," Hoyer said. Michael Busch, who served as the team's primary first baseman in 2024, doesn't sound like an option to slide across the diamond to play third, which only increases the odds of Shaw winning the Opening Day third base job after the club traded Isaac Paredes to the Houston Astros last week. The 23-year-old would be worth selecting in single-year fantasy drafts if he wins the starting job in spring training given his overall upside. Shaw was impressive in 121 combined games with Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa in 2024, slashing .284/.379/.488 with an .867 OPS, 21 homers, 71 RBI and 31 steals in 523 plate appearances. He has 25-homer, 25-steal potential in the big leagues.
With the Chicago Cubs sending infielder Isaac Paredes to the Houston Astros in the trade for All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker, it could give top prospect Matt Shaw a clear path to make the Cubs' Opening Day roster in 2025. If the Cubs feel Shaw needs more time in the minors, Michael Busch could be moved across the diamond from first base to the hot corner. As things stand now (barring a trade), Chicago has Tucker, Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki for right field/designated-hitter duties, so if Bellinger isn't traded, he could slide to first base. Shaw, 23, is the No. 22 overall prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline, and hit .284/.379/.488 with 21 dingers and 31 stolen bases this past season with Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. He has the potential to hit 25 homers and steal 25 bases while also hitting for a decent average at the next level, making him a must-stash in dynasty/keeper leagues.
Matt Shaw Powers USA To Victory Over The Netherlands
Chicago Cubs second base prospect Matt Shaw went 4-for-5 with seven RBI to power the United States to a victory over the Netherlands in the WBSC Premier12. Shaw did it all as he tallied an RBI single in the third frame, a three-run double in the seventh, and a three-run shot in the eighth inning. Last summer, Shaw opened the campaign by getting his first extended look at Double-A ball and eventually earned a taste of Triple-A later in the summer. Through his first 35 games with Triple-A Iowa, the former 13th-overall selection posted a stellar .298/.395/.534 line with eight doubles, seven home runs, 21 RBI, and six stolen bases. Given his incredible progression, Shaw could have a strong chance to make the Opening Day Roster. For now, the top prospect in the North Side remains a high-end prospect to stash in all keeper formats.
