The Chicago Cubs put a lot on the plate of top prospect Matt Shaw and, in turn, were hoping for a lot.
Although they didn’t say it and probably wouldn’t admit it, the organization had pretty much assigned the starting major league third base gig to the 23-year-old. Despite some peripheral acquisitions and a marginal stab at signing free agent Alex Bregman, the Cubs really had nobody else in mind for the hot corner.
Unfortunately, things didn’t play out as they expected.
Shaw, the team’s no. 1 draft pick in 2023 and the top prospect in their stacked farm system, slashed a lowly .172/.294/.241 in 18 games and 68 plate appearances with just 1 home run and 3 RBIs. He also committed 3 errors in his short time in the big leagues.
Chicago Cubs’ Patience Wore Thin With Top Prospect
With the Cubs looking like a playoff-level team and attempting to stack wins at the beginning of a long and grueling season, patience was thin with the still-developing Shaw and they decided that it was in their best interest to try something else at third base. They also felt that it was in Shaw’s best interest to work on his game in a more pressure-free environment. So, he was sent back down to Triple-A Iowa.
“We want to get a productive player back,” Cubs manager Crag Counsell told media at the time. “Sometimes you have to take a step back to do that. You obviously give guys time to work through it. But we just thought we saw enough where we need to kind of take a break from this level.”
Matt Shaw Breaks his Silence
Shaw recently broke his silence regarding his return to the minors and this next phase of his career.
“Pretty much everybody in our lineup has gone up and down at least in their career,” Shaw told the Des Moines Register. “So, I think as much as everybody’s been supportive, I don’t think anybody’s really worried about it at the same time. I think they understand the nature of the game.”
“I understand you have to perform to play in the big leagues and if they feel like getting some consistent at-bats with the shortened spring is going to be something that helps our team in the coming months and if I’m a player who’s in a rhythm for our squad, then I think that’s a good thing. I think it’s just the nature of baseball. Guys move up, move down. It’s definitely a learning process.”
Shaw’s big league Cubs teammates were supportive during his time in the majors and they remain supportive even now. Many personally reached out to the prospect, blowing up his phone with words of support. Even Cubs ace Justin Steele, who is recovering from season-ending elbow surgery, took the time to offer some words of encouragement.
“It was nice, definitely to know that they’re supporting me,” Shaw said. “That’s huge for sure. I think that’s what good teams do.”
Work To Do
Back in Iowa, Shaw is reportedly working on syncing his swing with his leg kick, but isn’t looking to make too many drastic changes. More than anything, the feeling is that he just needs some fine tuning, with a good amount of playing time.
Although just 1-for-10 since going back to Triple-A, he feels like he’s headed in the right direction.
“I’m feeling like I needed some time to get some at-bats to get back in a groove where I’m feeling good and that’s just part of the process of hitting,” Shaw said. “I definitely feel like, just looking at some swings, I’m looking much better than I was feeling kind of early in spring and into the season. So, it’s definitely a good start.”
The Cubs are hoping that Shaw’s good start will eventually see him back on the big league squad, contributing in what could be a very special season.
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