Matt Shaw
2B | Bats/Throws: R/R | 5' 9" 185LBS | Age: 23
Draft: 2023 | Rd: 1, #13, Chicago Cubs | Maryland
MLB Pipeline Rank
CUBS: No. 1 | TOP 100: No. 22 |
PA AB R H HR SB AVG OBP SLG OPS
2024 152 131 18 39 7 6 .298 .395 .534 .929
Career Minors 693 600 105 182 29 46 .303 .384 .522 .906
AVG HR SB OPS
2024 .298 7 6 .929
Career Minors .303 29 46 .906
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Standard Minor League Batting Statistics

SeasonTmLGLGPAABRH2B3BHRRBIBBSOSBCSHBPAVGOBPSLGOPS
2023 3 Teams Minors 38 170 157 27 56 9 4 8 28 9 25 15 3 3 .357 .400 .618 1.018
2023 ACL Cubs ACL ROK 3 11 8 3 4 1 0 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 .500 .636 1.000 1.636
2023 South Bend Cubs MID A+ 20 89 84 14 33 4 3 4 18 4 12 7 1 1 .393 .427 .655 1.082
2023 Tennessee Smokies SOU AA 15 70 65 10 19 4 1 3 9 3 12 6 1 1 .292 .329 .523 .852
2024 2 Teams Minors 121 523 443 78 126 19 4 21 71 62 95 31 11 10 .284 .379 .488 .867
2024 Tennessee Smokies SOU AA 86 371 312 60 87 11 3 14 50 45 65 25 8 6 .279 .373 .468 .841
2024 Iowa Cubs INT AAA 35 152 131 18 39 8 1 7 21 17 30 6 3 4 .298 .395 .534 .929
ACL Cubs ACL ROK 3 11 8 3 4 1 0 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 .500 .636 1.000 1.636
Iowa Cubs INT AAA 35 152 131 18 39 8 1 7 21 17 30 6 3 4 .298 .395 .534 .929
Tennessee Smokies SOU AA 101 441 377 70 106 15 4 17 59 48 77 31 9 7 .281 .366 .477 .843
South Bend Cubs MID A+ 20 89 84 14 33 4 3 4 18 4 12 7 1 1 .393 .427 .655 1.082

Scouting Report

draft

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Arm: 45 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

The University of Maryland has produced some solid middle-infield talent that has gone in the top five rounds, notably 2015 third-rounder Brandon Lowe and fourth-rounder Kevin Smith in '17. Shaw has a good chance to beat both Terrapins alumni after hitting .332 as a freshman, blasting 22 homers as a sophomore and then greatly enhancing his Draft stock by capturing Cape Cod League MVP honors thanks to a .360/.432/.574 line.

Shaw might be one of the better college hitters in the Draft class. He rarely strikes out and draws walks while making consistently hard contact. He can drive the ball to all fields and he showed off impressive opposite-field power last year for Maryland, with many of his homers going out to right and right-center field. He’s a plus runner who is a legitimate basestealing threat.

Shaw is currently the Terrapins' shortstop, but he’s shown off some defensive versatility, playing second, third and the outfield as a freshman and seeing time on both sides of second on the Cape. A team taking him could certainly send him out as a shortstop, but most feel his arm will push him to second long-term. Wherever he plays, it’s his bat that could get him drafted in the first round.


2024

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 45 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55 

Lightly scouted and recruited as a Massachusetts high schooler, Shaw blossomed into the highest pick ever out of the University of Maryland when the Cubs selected him 13th overall last July. After winning the Cape Cod League batting title (.360) and MVP award during the summer of 2022, he set the Terrapins’ career home run record (53) and was named Big Ten Conference player of the year last spring. He continued to rake after turning pro for $4,848,500, hitting .357/.400/.618 with eight homers and 15 steals in 38 games while reaching Double-A.

Shaw grew up a Red Sox fan and models his game after Dustin Pedroia. He walks a similarly fine line between aggression and discipline at the plate, repeatedly turning his right-handed swing loose yet still making consistent hard contact. He has no discernible weakness, thriving against both lefties and righties and against all types of pitches. He uses the entire field well, and his solid power plays to all parts of the park. 

Shaw’s baserunning instincts enable him to make good use of his solid speed. He played second base as a college freshman before moving to shortstop, where he has enough range but his fringy arm is a liability. Chicago is set up the middle with Gold Glovers Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson, so Shaw has shifted to third base and has the tools to become an average defender there.


2023

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 45 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

Shaw wasn't a priority target for scouts or recruiters as a Massachusetts high schooler but developed into the highest pick ever out of the University of Maryland after three seasons with the Terrapins. He won the Cape Cod League batting title (.360) and MVP award in the summer of 2022, then set Maryland's career home run record (53) and earned Big Ten Conference player of the year accolades this spring. After signing for $4,848,500 as the 13th overall pick in July, he headed almost immediately to High-A. 

A right-handed hitter, Shaw combines aggressiveness and discipline at the plate, doing damage without sacrificing contact. He produces high exit velocities and solid power that plays to all fields. In college, he thrived against all type of pitches and against both left-handers and right-handers. 

Shaw has solid speed and plays quicker than that on the bases because he has fine instincts. A second baseman as a Terrapins freshman before moving to shortstop the past two years, he has enough range to remain at short but his fringy arm strength may dictate a move. He probably fits best at second and could wind up at third, where the Cubs have a greater need. 



Awards




Transactions

Team Date Transaction
08/06/2024 SS Matt Shaw assigned to Iowa Cubs from Tennessee Smokies.
07/14/2024 National League Futures activated SS Matt Shaw.
07/14/2024 National League Futures activated SS Matt Shaw.
03/07/2024 Chicago Cubs Prospects activated SS Matt Shaw.
02/09/2024 Chicago Cubs invited non-roster SS Matt Shaw to spring training.
08/29/2023 SS Matt Shaw assigned to Tennessee Smokies from South Bend Cubs.
08/29/2023 Tennessee Smokies activated SS Matt Shaw.
08/01/2023 SS Matt Shaw assigned to South Bend Cubs from ACL Cubs.
08/01/2023 South Bend Cubs activated SS Matt Shaw.
07/27/2023 SS Matt Shaw assigned to ACL Cubs.
07/16/2023 Chicago Cubs signed SS Matt Shaw.
06/15/2023 SS Matt Shaw assigned to College Workout.