The Chicago Cubs currently have a movement of young players entering the big leagues. Last year, position players Michael Bush and Pete Crow-Armstrong got significant MLB playing time. This year, third baseman Matt Shaw is in line for lots of playing time, which already has put him in rookie of the year conversations.
Matt Shaw has a path to becoming the Chicago Cubs everyday third baseman
After trading Isaac Paredes, the Cubs have lined up their 40-man roster with third base candidates such as Vidal Bujan, Miles Mastrobuoni, and Gage Workman. Top prospect, and former 13th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Matt Shaw is expected to compete for the third base job during spring training. Among this group, Shaw’s talent stands out the most as the 23 year old slashed .284/.379/.488 with 21 home runs last year across Double and Triple-A.
Matt Shaw is an early rookie of the year candidate
In a recent publication at MLB Pipeline, executives projected Matt Shaw to finish second in rookie of the year voting in 2025, trailing only Dylan Crew of the Washington Nationals. If Shaw outperforms Crews and wins the rookie of the year award, the Chicago Cubs would receive a 2026 Draft pick after the first round, provided Shaw breaks camp with the big league roster or is added within two weeks of the season’s start. Even if Shaw spends most of 2025 in the majors but doesn’t factor into the rookie of the year voting, he would still have an opportunity to provide the Cubs with compensation until he reaches arbitration. To qualify, Shaw would then need to finish in the top three of MVP voting.
Chicago Cubs rookie of the year winners throughout history
It has been a decade since the Cubs last had a player win rookie of the year as Kris Bryant last accomplished this in 2015. Before that, Kerry Wood won in 1998, Jerome Walton in 1989, Jim Frey in 1984, Ken Hubbs in 1962, and Billy Williams in 1961. Hopefully Matt Shaw can become the sixth player in franchise history to win this prestigious award.
