2 weeks agoChicago Cubs third base prospect
Matt Shaw (oblique) will travel with the team to Tokyo, Japan, for the season-opening two-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 18 and 19, according to manager Craig Counsell. Shaw suffered a mild oblique injury early in camp but has returned to Cactus League action and should start for the Cubbies at third base on March 18. The 23-year-old has played in four spring training games and has gone only 2-for-12 with two RBI and a run scored, but the most important thing is that he's healthy and ready to go for the start of the 2025 regular season. Despite having never played in a big-league game, Shaw should be relevant in all fantasy leagues right away after hitting .284/.379/.488 with 21 home runs and 31 steals at Double-A and Triple-A in 2024. MLB Pipeline has Shaw ranked as the No. 19 overall prospect this year.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
2 weeks agoThe Athletic's Patrick Mooney writes that Chicago Cubs third base prospect
Matt Shaw (oblique) isn't guaranteed to be ready for the season-opening two-game series in Tokyo, Japan, on March 18 and 19 versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to team officials. Shaw entered spring training as the favorite to earn the third base job for the Cubbies, but then he suffered a setback in mid-February with oblique discomfort. He sat out the first 10 days of Cactus League action and has only nine plate appearances with only five days to go until the team leaves for Japan. Shaw has no major-league experience and isn't on the 40-man roster, so Chicago may proceed slowly with the young infielder. However, the good news for fantasy managers that already have Shaw in dynasty leagues is that the Cubs want him to win this competition and expect him to be their everyday third baseman for years to come. The former first-rounder has 25-25 potential.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
3 weeks agoChicago Cubs third base prospect
Matt Shaw (oblique) made his spring training debut on Sunday afternoon against the Cincinnati Reds. The top prospect was held out of action early in camp due to an oblique injury. However, seeing him return early in the Cactus League suggests he should be a full-go by Opening Day. At the plate, Shaw went 0-for-3. The 23-year-old is viewed as the team's starting third baseman as they traded
Isaac Paredes to the Houston Astros as part of a package to acquire superstar
Kyle Tucker earlier in the offseason. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his production during camp as a slow start could encourage the team to ease him into regular season action. Last season, Shaw spent most of the campaign at Double-A and eventually earned a promotion to Triple-A. In 35 games with Triple-A Iowa, Shaw held a strong .298/.395/.534 line with seven home runs and six stolen bases. If Shaw were to be moved to a reserve role,
Justin Turner would be the top candidate to see starting opportunities at the hot corner.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 weeks agoChicago Cubs third base prospect
Matt Shaw (oblique) said that he will start playing in Cactus League games in the next few days without any restrictions. Shaw is a bit behind the other position players in spring training while dealing with a minor oblique injury since Feb. 5. Oblique injuries can be tricky, but it appears that the 23-year-old should be ready in plenty of time for the March 18 season opener in Tokyo, Japan, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. If he's ready to go by then, Shaw is expected to be the favorite to open the year as the team's starting third baseman after the Cubs traded
Isaac Paredes to the Houston Astros in the offseason to acquire outfielder
Kyle Tucker. Shaw absolutely should have fantasy value in all formats in his first full season in the big leagues in 2025 as long as he's playing regularly, as he has the tools to be 25-homer, 25-stolen base man.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: 670 The Score - Bruce Levine
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