Chicago Cubs' prospect Matt Shaw appears to be headed to Triple-A

Matt Shaw is getting closer.

2024 Chicago Cubs Spring Training
2024 Chicago Cubs Spring Training | Matt Dirksen/GettyImages

It would seem that the second half of the Chicago Cubs' 2024 season will be dedicated to a youth movement, with it looking likely with each passing day that the Cubs will be sellers at the MLB Trade Deadline.

Recent rumors have suggested that Nico Hoerner may be among the players traded at the Trade Deadline at the end of the month, with the Seattle Mariners appearing to be a possibility.

There is some logic to the idea of the Cubs trading Hoerner considering his contract expires after the 2025 season and the team has two ascending infield prospects in 2023 first-round pick Matt Shaw and James Triantos.

It's possible that the Cubs may be eyeing moving Hoerner to create a path to playing time at the Major League level for one of Shaw or Triantos. To that end, it would seem that Shaw has been promoted to Triple-A Iowa.

A quick glance of the Iowa Cubs' roster has Shaw listed among the infielders, wearing No. 18. As of this writing, the Cubs have yet to officially announce the roster move.

Matt Shaw appears to be promoted to Triple-A Iowa.

Shaw has been on a heater with Double-A Tennessee over the course of the past month after struggling to open the season. Entering play on Wednesday, Shaw is slashing .251/.361/.428 with 10 home runs through 291 plate appearances. Shaw's 134 wRC+ on the season highlights the impact that he could have at the Major League level with his bat.

When Shaw was selected by the Cubs in the first round of last season's draft, the expectation was that he could ascend quickly through the team's farm system. With the promotion to Triple-A Iowa, there is a chance the Shaw reaches the Major Leagues before the end of the season.

Update - Matt Shaw is not with the Iowa Cubs right now

In an update, Iowa Cubs' beat reporter Tommy Birch reports that Shaw is not currently with the I-Cubs.

Update -- Matt Shaw has been removed from the Iowa Cubs' online roster. With that news, we can cancel the watch as a promotion has not happened yet but likely isn't too far away.

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