Cubs’ Matt Shaw continues to draw acclaim in MLB prospect rankings
Matt Shaw is beginning the 2025 year 5-for-5…
…in prospect rankings, that is.
Shaw is not only ranked on all major outlets’ Top 100 prospect rankings, but he is the clear top Cubs prospect on each iteration of the list.
Multiple lists have been released recently, including ESPN’s ranking Wednesday morning.
Shaw came in at No. 23.
[MORE: How Cubs, Matt Shaw are viewing third base opportunity this spring]
Here’s what Kiley McDaniel wrote about Shaw and why he ranked the young Cubs infielder so high:
He really hammers fastballs, especially in the strike zone (the most common pitch in the big leagues) in part due to a flatter swing plane that matches the plane of the pitch, with the feel to drive those heaters to the opposite field. This means he doesn’t have the conventional pull and lift to his swing that you may prefer on paper for a hitter with his 25-homer upside, but there are many ways to succeed at the plate. I’d like to see Shaw pull back on the sliders off the plate, as big league pitchers will steadily test him in that area once they see him blister a few belt-high heaters.
The Cubs placed 5 players on McDaniel’s list:
23 – Matt Shaw
50 – Moisés Ballesteros
64 – Kevin Alcántara
86 – Owen Caissie
97 – Cade Horton
Shaw could wind up as the Cubs’ main third baseman this season, possibly even by the time the team takes the field in Tokyo for Opening Day against the Dodgers.
The 23-year-old has torn up the minor leagues since the Cubs made him the 13th overall pick in 2023. In 159 career minor league games, Shaw has hit .303/.384/.522 (.906 OPS) with 29 homers, 99 RBI, 105 runs and 46 stolen bases.
He was drafted as a middle infielder but since the Cubs have Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner locking down shortstop and second base, respectively, Shaw has seen more time at third base. He made 64 appearances at the hot corner in 2024, including 22 at the Triple-A level.
