Chicago Cubs Minor League Recap: Matt Shaw may be the third baseman of the present

Hitter of the Week

Matt Shaw

3B (AA Tennessee Smokies)

.333/.571/.667 1 HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, 4/4 BB/K, 2/2 SB

In the first two weeks of doing this, the stars have come out to shine in the Cubs’ system. Last week Owen Caissie and Pete Crow-Armstrong were the players that popped off and in his first week of the season, Matt Shaw has followed in their footsteps.

Shaw was the Cubs first-round draft pick in last year’s draft and he never slowed down after turning pro. He went from Rookie Ball all the way to AA last season and in those 38 games, he hit .357/.400/.618. 

Somehow, to start the season, he’s improved on that slash line while showing patience at the plate, a power/speed combination, and (potentially most importantly) the ability to play a competent third base.

This team has pushed some of its chips into the middle on this season and it may behoove them to see if Shaw can play third base at the Major League level sooner rather than later.