Plenty of eyes have remained on the Iowa Cubs early this season despite the Chicago Cubs getting out to a hot start in their pursuit of the NL Central crown. The team’s highly-rated farm system is what has helped them take steps forward so far this season, and having an eye on the multiple top prospects in Triple-A makes sense for depth purposes. The front office has already had to call up two big time young players from the I-Cubs in Cade Horton and Moises Ballesteros.
The organization’s top prospect started the season at the big league level, but didn’t stick around for too long. Since returning to Triple-A, he has been on a tear and could be making his way back to Chicago very soon.
Matt Shaw is making his case to return to the Chicago Cubs
Shaw led the charge in the I-Cubs’ comeback victory in game two of their doubleheader yesterday. The 2023 first-round draft choice led the game off with a homer and delivered a walk-off long ball to seal the deal. No MLB player has accomplished this feat since 2010, and Shaw did so while trying to prove that he belongs in the show.
In his 22 games with Iowa this year, Shaw is slashing .284/.408/.519, giving him a .927 OPS in 98 at-bats. The two homers he clubbed out yesterday make up half of the round-trippers he has in Triple-A, and he has driven in 11 runs as well.
The 23-year-old has struggled mightily at the plate to begin his big league career as he has hit .172 with a .535 OPS in 18 games this season. He has one homer and three runs driven in and has struck out 18 times in 58 at-bats.
The Chicago Cubs need Matt Shaw to step-up for multiple reasons
With how poorly the third base position has been handled since Shaw’s demotion, the Cubs could use any help they can get at the hot corner. Shaw has always been the long term plan at third base, and the front office didn’t want him to lose any more confidence at the dish early on in his big league career. The bat was his primary issue in his first 18 MLB games, and it appears he has worked on some things in his short stint with Iowa.
If the Cubs can have Shaw be a consistent regular option at third base, it would help them massively at the trade deadline. This would allow for the organization to focus on acquiring pitching only at the end of the summer, to help them pick up the depth that they have lost in the rotation and bullpen early on in 2025.
Apr 5, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly (15) high fives Matt Shaw (6) and second baseman Nico Hoerner (2) after he hit a three run home run against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
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