Cubs demote third baseman Matt Shaw to Triple-A after top prospect’s disappointing MLB debut

The Chicago Cubs have despatched their struggling high prospect again to the minors. Third baseman Matt Shaw was optioned all the way down to Triple-A Iowa, the group introduced Tuesday. Utility man Vidal Bruján was activated off the injured listing in a corresponding transfer and can exchange Shaw within the group’s place participant group.

Shaw, 23, was the No. 13 total choose within the 2023 draft, and CBS Sports activities ranked him because the twenty eighth greatest prospect in baseball coming into spring coaching. His first style of the massive leagues didn’t go effectively, nevertheless: .172/.294/.241 with 18 strikeouts in 68 plate appearances. Shaw did hit a house run, although his 82.7 mph common exit velocity is among the many lowest within the sport.

As a participant on the 40-man roster, Shaw’s free company will likely be pushed again from the 2030-31 offseason to the 2031-32 offseason if he spends at the very least 20 days within the minors this season. That stated, the demotion isn’t undeserved. His numbers communicate for themselves. Here is our write-up of Shaw coming into 2025:

The brief hook: Bat-first infielder with pop

Shaw may discover himself on the Opening Day roster after a 35-game stint in Triple-A that noticed him produce a .929 OPS. (Later, throughout the Premier12 event, he matched Ken Griffey Jr.’s Group USA single-game report by driving in seven runs.) Shaw routinely makes laborious contact, even possessing sufficient energy to drive out greater than a handful of balls the different method. That really feel for the barrel helps obscure that he has an urge for food for elevated fastballs that may get him into some hassle. Shaw has auditioned at a number of infield positions; he is actually most likely going to finish up at second or third base, with the latter serving because the present favourite given Isaac Paredes’ inclusion within the Kyle Tucker commerce. MLB ETA: Spring 2025

It’s a bit shocking the Cubs pulled the plug so shortly on Shaw, who began 16 of Chicago’s 19 video games at third base. Veteran Justin Turner began at third base this previous Saturday, although at this level in his profession, he is a primary baseman and DH. Turner can man the new nook occasionally however now not frequently. 

Most probably, the Cubs will lean on veteran utility man Jon Berti and Rule 5 Draft choose Gage Workman on the scorching nook. Workman is 2 for 9 with 5 strikeouts to begin the yr, and each hits got here off place participant pitcher Miguel Rojas this previous weekend. Berti is 5 for 18 (.278) and has performed second base, third base, and proper discipline within the early going this season.

In different strikes, the Cubs additionally positioned righty Eli Morgan on the 15-day injured listing with an elbow impingement and optioned righty Nate Pearson to Triple-A. Righty Daniel Palencia and lefty Luke Little have been referred to as as much as fill the 2 bullpen spots. The Cubs didn’t present a timetable for Morgan’s restoration. He left Monday’s recreation with the coach.

The Cubs sit atop the NL Central at 11-8 (-125 to win the division, per DraftKings). Their plus-37 run differential is the most effective in baseball. Shaw hit .298/.379/.488 with seven house runs in 35 Triple-A video games final season.