Matt Shaw is officially a big leaguer. The Cubs’ 2023 first-round pick learned last week he’ll be on the roster when Chicago opens the season against the Dodgers in Tokyo.
The 23-year-old infielder isn’t just making the team — he’s expected to make an immediate impact. Shaw tore through Double-A and Triple-A last season, hitting .284 with 21 homers and 31 stolen bases, showcasing the kind of power-speed combination that gets fans excited.
MLB.com ranks Shaw as baseball’s No. 19 overall prospect, and Cubs beat writer Jordan Bastian has gone a step further with a bold prediction: Shaw will win NL Rookie of the Year.
That’s no small claim considering the competition. The Dodgers have Japanese signee Roki Sasaki, who’s technically a rookie despite his professional experience in Japan.
If Shaw pulls it off, he’d be the seventh Cub to win the award and the first since Kris Bryant in 2015. It’s worth noting what happened after Bryant’s rookie campaign — the Cubs broke their 108-year World Series drought the following season.
The Maryland product has all the tools to follow in Bryant’s footsteps as another rookie third baseman who could help transform the franchise. Cubs fans have plenty of reasons to be excited about what Shaw might bring to Wrigley Field this season.
