Matt Shaw Needs to Be on Next Thing Smoking to Chicago
We just covered this topic on Friday, but Matt Shaw continues to destroy baseballs at Triple-A Iowa and really needs to be back in Chicago at this point. The Opening Day third baseman has hit two homers in each of the last two games, including leadoff homers in each and a walk-off shot on Thursday. He went 3-for-5 on Friday to raise his slash line to .302/.423/.593, and that’s after starting his demotion with a 1-for-17 skid.
"Goodnight, Matt Shaw!"
MLB's No. 18 prospect (@Cubs) follows up his leadoff homer with a WALK-OFF shot for the Triple-A @IowaCubs. pic.twitter.com/bd4cen7WDI
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 15, 2025
While Shaw struggled during his brief stint with the Cubs to begin the year, it appears that he’s regained confidence at Triple-A. Even if he doesn’t carry that 1.016 OPS in the big leagues, he’s easily the team’s best option at third moving forward. Jon Berti started out relatively hot, but went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts against the White Sox on Friday. He was the only Cubs starter who didn’t record a hit in the game, and his OPS is now down to .512 with a -0.3 fWAR tally that includes a -0.4 mark as a third baseman.
It’s been clear all season that third base is a weak spot for the Cubs, with Berti joined by a rotating crew of Nicky Lopez, Vidal Bruján, and Justin Turner. When the Cubs promoted Pete Crow-Armstrong for good in 2024, his defense kept him in the lineup while his bat developed. He finished the season as one of the team’s hottest hitters and is now in the early conversation for MVP candidacy. Shaw isn’t nearly the same caliber of defender, but can handle the position as well as the other options the Cubs have while also providing much more offensive upside.
Based on what’s happening right now in both Des Moines and Chicago, there’s really no reason to keep Shaw in the minors. Another factor is the Cubs’ weak schedule, which would give the rookie a chance to take advantage of much weaker pitching than he faced during that tough stretch at the start of the season.
Whatever they choose to do with Shaw, Jonathon Long is another candidate for a corner infield spot or fill-in DH. Although he’s not on the 40-man and his defense at third is questionable, his offense continues to impress. Long hit his fourth home run of the season on Friday, a rocket with an exit velocity of 108.7 mph, and could add some punch if circumstances allow for his promotion.
JONATHON LONG BOMB
11-7 I-CUBS pic.twitter.com/E3heMeiN2B
— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) May 17, 2025
But if the front office is really intent on fielding the best team possible, which is certainly the case, Shaw shouldn’t spend more time at Iowa. Even if his struggles continue, it’s getting to the point where third base literally could not get worse for the Cubs. They’re 29th in MLB in fWAR (-1.0), wOBA (.203), and wRC+ (43), and 30th in ISO (.034). Given Shaw’s youth and vastly superior potential, each game that goes by without him on the big-league roster is a wasted opportunity.
Ed. note: Shaw’s changes since being sent back down aren’t about removing or quieting his leg kick. There have been some comments about that and I’m sure you can find video of it appearing to be reduced, but that’s a matter of him adjusting based on the situation. His problem in Chicago wasn’t that he had a big kick, it was that he had unnecessarily sped up his timing to handle higher velocity.
