1 week 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
2 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
4 weeks agoChicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that third base prospect
Matt Shaw (oblique) is "doing great" hitting in the batting cages and throwing at camp. Shaw, the No. 19 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, injured his oblique early in spring training but has already resumed baseball activities and should be fine for Opening Day on March 18 in Tokyo, Japan, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, barring any setbacks once he starts playing in games. Chicago recently signed
Justin Turner, who has played third base primarily in his career, although he could be more of a platoon option at first base and designated hitter for the team if Shaw moves past his oblique injury during spring training. Shaw, 23, has the potential to be a 25-homer, 25-steal guy for fantasy managers sooner than later, which means he'll be relevant in all mixed leagues if he's the starting third baseman to kick things off in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Chicago Sun-Times - Maddie Lee
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