The Chicago Cubs have seven prospects in MLB.com’s top 100 prospects list that all could potentially debut with the Cubs at some point this season.
A couple of those prospects like Matt Shaw, James Triantos, and Cade Horton could all figure to be big parts of the Cubs lineup and rotation with the team having holes in both that all three could figure to fill in.
One of those three prospects, James Triantos, was named in the top ten of MLB.com’s top second-base prospects for this season. With another prospect making it into the top five at his position with MLB’s most recent rankings.
The Chicago Cubs’ Matt Shaw was named the No. 2 third base prospect
Sam Dykstra of MLB.com released his most recent list of the top third base prospects in Major League Baseball and Shaw was named as the second-best third baseman following Coby Mayo of the Baltimore Orioles. This is a high honor for Shaw to get with him being primarily a shortstop. Shaw has split most of his time down in the minors playing both shortstop (44 games) and third base (66 games), so he isn’t unfamiliar with the position.
Not only was Shaw named as the second overall third baseman, but he received high praise for his grades as well. Dykstra graded Shaw as having the highest hit tool at 60 and his run at 55. Dykstra also listed Shaw as having the highest floor and named him as a possible Rookie of the Year winner. Saying of Shaw having the highest floor:
“Shaw’s hit tool would be good enough to earn him a spot here considering it’s practically Major League-ready now. His above-average power and speed elevate the floor even higher, and the athleticism — in particular — means he has other ways to contribute on days he pulls an 0-for at the dish.”
And adding on why he feels that Shaw will win the Rookie of the Year:
“The Cubs should be in win-now mode after the acquisition of Tucker, yet they continue to hold space for the former Maryland great in its third-base plans. Barring an unforeseen move, Shaw has a great chance of winning the MLB gig outright this spring, and his multiple tools could help build a solid ROY case.”
Third base is Shaw’s job to lose
Shaw has the opportunity to be the Cubs’ starting third baseman come Opening Day if he can perform during spring training. Shaw has a good shot to do so with last season being a standout for him offensively with a line of .284/.379/.488 in 121 games played between Double and Triple-A last season.
Shaw will have some competition for the job in Vidal Brujan who the Cubs acquired from the Miami Marlins and Gage Workman who they picked up in this offseason Rule 5 Draft. They figure however to be no real threat to Shaw, with Workman potentially being Shaw’s possible platoon partner.
The Cubs may look to bring in another veteran to be an insurance policy for Shaw in case he struggles, but all signs show he will and should succeed. Spring Training will figure to be exciting from all the storylines going on, but Shaw being able to take over the starting third base job will be tops amongst them.
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