MIAMI — Third baseman Matt Shaw had a pretty clear understanding of what he needed to work on when the Chicago Cubs optioned their top prospect to Triple A last month.
“Obviously it’s up to me to perform and to play well and to put myself in a good position,” Shaw said.
After Shaw hit two home runs for Iowa on Thursday, Counsell was asked if the team’s top-ranked prospect had proved he is ready.
Shaw hit .172 in 18 games with the Cubs after making the opening-day roster, with 18 strikeouts in 58 at-bats.
Vidal Bruján and Jon Berti will remain as bench players, with Shaw expected to get the bulk of the starts at third.
MIAMI — Last month, when the Chicago Cubs optioned their top prospect to Triple A, third baseman Matt Shaw knew exactly what he needed to improve.
Decreased leg kick, more erect posture, and timing consistency were the first necessary changes for Shaw. He had first spoken with manager Craig Counsell, the big-league hitting coaches, and the hitting coaches in Iowa about the diminished leg kick during his first major league stint.
Shaw stated on Monday, “I think they’re right; they’ve seen enough baseball to know I can be a little more consistent with a little smaller leg kick.”. I will therefore keep doing it and observe how things develop. “”.
Before allowing him another big-league chance, the Cubs made the adjustments that produced the kind of output they wanted to see at Triple A, particularly his power production. In order to get called up to the Cubs ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Miami Marlins, Shaw recorded eight hits in his last four games and recorded back-to-back two-homer games for Iowa on Thursday and Friday.
In his comeback, Shaw went 2-for-4, hitting a ground-rule RBI double to the opposite field in the sixth inning of the Cubs’ 8-7 walk-off loss to the Marlins.
To free up a spot on the active roster, the Cubs assigned infielder Nicky Lopez.
Overall, Shaw remarked, “it was really nice to just take a step back and kind of be able to take a breath and stuff.”. It’s good to take a break in Triple A, get a few things moving in the right direction, and be back after a rather overwhelming first month of the season with Japan and everything going on. “”.
Shaw, 23, was optioned to Iowa by the Cubs last month. Counsell and Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations, were hopeful that Shaw would return following a break and an opportunity to refocus in a less demanding setting. Their belief in his long-term prospects remained unwavering despite the demotion, as they saw him as a possible everyday player at third base.
“It’s obviously my responsibility to play well, perform well, and position myself well,” Shaw stated. “I hope that if I keep doing that, it will make their job easier. “”.
After the Cubs swept the White Sox in the first round of the City Series at Wrigley Field on Sunday, Counsell made a suggestion about the move, which was confirmed on Monday.
Counsell was questioned about whether the team’s top-ranked prospect had demonstrated his readiness after Shaw hit two home runs for Iowa on Thursday.
“Look, our goals are to win games and to position players for success,” Counsell stated. Therefore, none of that seems to be certain to me. Hopefully, we will be able to say, “Yes, let’s try this again when the time comes.”. “.”.
Shaw, 23, will be up “sooner than later,” according to general manager Carter Hawkins, who told the Tribune on Saturday after the player hit two more home runs Friday night. “.”.
It will now be seen if the small adjustments that produced Triple A success can carry over to the major leagues. Shaw made the Cubs’ opening-day roster and went on to hit 172 in 18 games while striking out 18 batters in 58 at-bats. An oblique injury delayed his start during his brief spring training, but when the Cubs were unable to sign free agent Alex Bregman, he was thrust into the starting lineup.
Young athletes frequently experience nonlinear progress, which occasionally results in their return to the minor leagues. Shaw will not be the last prominent Cubs prospect to go through that. After spending the majority of the previous two seasons in the major leagues, Ian Happ faced that test in 2019.
Happ said of Shaw on Monday, “He handled it really well.”. In terms of his disposition and character, he is glad to be back, but he handled being down there quite well, which I believe was to be expected. “”.
Shaw was ready for a second chance in the majors after his recent power surge, hitting .286 with six home runs, 14 RBIs, and a .970 OPS in 24 games at Iowa following his demotion.
After Pete Crow-Armstrong struggled offensively last season, the Cubs sent him down. After a swift return, Crow-Armstrong took a few months to get her bearings before thriving in the latter part of 2024.
Crow-Armstrong is currently a strong contender for MVP and a likely member of the National League All-Star team. With Shaw, ranked No. by Baseball America, the Cubs are hoping for two strikes. Prior to the 2025 season, it ranked 35th out of its Top 100 prospects.
Hoyer stated, “I think that’s what we look for because it’s difficult to struggle on a big stage and not lose confidence and not question yourself.”. I believe that they can benefit greatly from the struggle, provided that he is playing his game and is not losing confidence.
We talk about players who are having trouble in the minor leagues and the major leagues all the time, I believe. Since our best players frequently experience 1-for-20 or 2-for-30 slumps, it’s a natural part of life. They must figure out how to leave it without making any drastic changes, and I believe that’s crucial.
Thus, ensuring that they maintain their self-assurance and continue to be authentic. As long as they continue to do that, I believe they can remain here and make those changes. “.”.
Lopez had a 1-for-18 performance. 056) in 14 Cubs games, including five starts. During Shaw’s demotion, four players, including the 30-year-old veteran from Naperville, took turns playing third base.
After receiving a DFA, Gage Workman was dealt to the White Sox, who subsequently let him go. With Shaw anticipated to receive the majority of the starts at third, Vidal Bruján and Jon Berti will continue to be bench players.
Sullivan was based in Chicago.
