Watch: Matt Shaw Makes 2 More Sparkling Plays Late in Loss
Matt Shaw is slashing .319/.356/.464 with a 133 wRC+ and 0.6 fWAR since being called back up on May 19, but it’s his defense that is drawing rave reviews. He seems to make a spectacular play nearly every night, including a pair of tremendous efforts to keep the Phillies off the board in the 10th inning on Monday. While the Cubs ended up dropping the game in the following frame, Shaw proved yet again that he can hold down the hot corner.
After the Cubs failed to score in their half of the first extra inning, they opted to walk leadoff batter Kyle Schwarber with Trea Turner starting on second as the Manfred Man. Alec Bohm chopped a Daniel Palencia slider up the line that Shaw snagged before stepping on third with his right foot and firing across the diamond on the move to complete the double play.
What a play, Matt Shaw! pic.twitter.com/bbWBC3rtu2
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 10, 2025
Just a few pitches later, former Cub Nick Castellanos chopped a ball toward the hole. Shaw ranged to his left this time, scooping up a tricky in-between hop and shuffling a couple times to sling an easy throw to first to end the inning. He made it look so smooth, it’s easy to underestimate just how tough that play really is for most third basemen.
Matt Shaw made this look easy ?? pic.twitter.com/s81567Ln4M
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) June 10, 2025
It seems as though the confidence he regained during a few weeks back in Iowa extends to his play in the field as well as in the box. There were a lot of questions early on about his ability to play third base adequately, with a particular focus on his arm strength, or lack thereof. That may have been the result of him being less aggressive than he needed to be, which we saw at the plate as well.
The best part about all of this is that the power hasn’t yet come around like it eventually will. While he’s never going to play the same kind of elite defense we see from Pete Crow-Armstrong in center, Shaw being average to above-average with the glove should make him a mainstay in Chicago for years to come.
