"Cluster of Transactions Includes Optioning Cubs' Rookie 3B Matt Shaw"
The Chicago Cubs desire for Matt Shaw to gain more experience. As reported by The Athletic, the Cubs are demoting the rookie third baseman to the minors.
Shaw, who was selected as the No. 13 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, began the season with Chicago and was designated as the team's starting third baseman.
He appeared in all but three games at third base for the Cubs, but only managed to record 10 hits in 58 at-bats (.172 average). Out of those 10 hits, two were for extra bases, including a home run, and he drove in three runs. Shaw only had one game with multiple hits, where he collected two hits on April 2 in Sacramento.
Despite being considered the top prospect in the Cubs' system by MLB Pipeline, Shaw struggled at the plate, recording only three hits in his last 24 at-bats. However, he did manage to get a hit in each of his last two games.
Shaw, who was drafted from the University of Maryland, quickly moved up the minor league ranks and played in 35 games at the Triple-A level in 2024. In a total of 121 minor league games last season, he had a batting average of .284, an on-base percentage of .379, and a slugging percentage of .488, with 21 home runs.
Gage Workman, who has started two games at third base for the Cubs this season, has recorded two hits in nine at-bats. Meanwhile, veteran Justin Turner, who primarily plays first base and designated hitter, has started one game at third base and has five hits in 29 at-bats (.172 average) with no extra-base hits.
The Cubs will continue their three-game series against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night.
