The Chicago Cubs have settled on a starter at each position– except one.
Third base remains an open slot. But even though the hot corner is technically up for grabs, there’s a definite favorite to grab that spot.
By the way things are looking, Cubs top prospect Matt Show will get every opportunity to win the starting gig at third base after the Cubs dealt Isaac Parades this past December in the trade that brought outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros.
Matt Shaw To The Rescue?
Shaw is the 23-year-old offensive prodigy who has batted his way into no. 1 prospect status in the highly-regarded Cubs farm system. Despite only being drafted in 2023, the young prospect has run through every level of the organization and has accumulated a .303 batting average along the way.
MLB.com even dished out the highest of praises when they gave him a “He has no discernible weakness” hitting assessment in their scouting report of Shaw.
Defensively, he’s decent and hard-working enough to be better than decent, with experience at shortstop, second base, third base, and the outfield.
But the Cubs really, really need him to be good at third base because that’s the only place, right now, where they can use him.
Taking Notice Of Matt Shaw
The league has already taken notice of Shaw as a potential starter. The media has also taken notice and is already assessing his status as a starting third baseman. Even with only 88 games, total, played at the position (both in college and the minors), Shaw has earned a mostly favorable ranking among the pros.
Pat Manser of Cubbies Crib, for example, is already ranking Shaw as the third best third baseman in the NL Central, behind the St, Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado and Ke’Bryan Hayes of the Pittsburgh Pirates– not a great placement, but noteworthy since the top prospect has yet to take a single ground ball in the majors. However, he also believes that Shaw may eventually (and quickly) become the best third baseman in the division.
Already One Of The Best?
Per Manser:
“Cubs rookie Matt Shaw is going to get a ton of coverage over the next couple of months, but he’s the real deal. In roughly a full season of games in the minors (159), the University of Maryland product has a .906 OPS and 46 stolen bases. While he’s new to third base, Shaw has looked pretty decent according to reports (quality defensive metrics really aren’t available to fans for minor leaguers)…
Shaw generates a ton of power out of his 5’9 frame and doesn’t really have any distinct holes in his game in the minors. He’s about league average in strikeout rate, takes his walks and hits to all fields. I anticipate him being able to hit immediately. Third base might be a challenge for a bit at the big league level but Cubs fans have watched Christopher Morel the last three years. We will be fine. Shaw has a real shot at being the best third baseman in the division by May, even if he can just be a league average defender.”
Shaw will definitely get his opportunity to win the position this spring. The Cubs are hoping that as well since, as things sit right now, there’s pretty much no viable backup option to play everyday third base.
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