This Chicago Cubs top prospect is taking his new role seriously

The Chicago Cubs will figure to have an exciting spring training with some of their new additions like Kyle Tucker and others entering their first seasons in a Cubs uniform.

Spring training is a time for players to get their work in with the veterans just preparing themselves for another grueling season, while the young wide-eyed prospects come in eager to make a name for themselves.

That will hold this spring training with the organization’s top prospect Matt Shaw set to compete for the starting third base job. Taking his new role in stride the young and possibly future star is taking his new role seriously. 

The potential Chicago Cubs future third baseman 

The opportunity for Matt Shaw to become the Cubs starting third baseman came when the team traded away Isaac Paredes to the Houston Astros to acquire outfielder Kyle Tucker. Shaw, who was drafted as a shortstop is getting the Alex Bregman treatment with having a preestablished major league shortstop (Dansby Swanson) blocking his path and and forcing him to move off his primary position. Shaw is graded by MLB.com as having a below-average arm (45/80) and is graded as being an average fielder (50/80), so he will have to prove that he has the necessary arm strength and range needed to play third base this spring. 

To help him in his efforts to become a better fielder at third base the 23-year-old Shaw has been researching and watching videos of elite third baseman such as the aforementioned Alex Bregman and 9x Gold Glover and five-time Platinum Glove winner Nolan Arenado with ESPN.com Jesse Rodgers tweeting out that Shaw has been studying film of both Nolan Arenado and Alex Bregman. 

“Some notes from the Cubs fan convention: Craig Counsell told Seiya Suzuki earlier this week that he’ll be the team’s main DH…Counsell is not considering the speedy Pete Crow-Armstrong for the lead off spot right now…And prospect Matt Shaw has been watching tape of Arenado and Bregman to help improve his D at 3b. Smart kid.

According to the Cubs General Manager Carter Hawkins who spoke to fans about Shaw being the future third baseman by saying per MLB.com:

“Expect him to do everything he possibly can” to claim the vacancy at third base.

Shaw himself spoke on the subject by adding in:

“No matter how much the opportunity might present itself,” Shaw said, “it’s still going to be, ‘You’ve got to earn that spot.’ Hopefully, given the opportunity, I’ll be able to show what I’ve got and be able to earn that position.”

The need to be an offensive force on top of being strong defensively

For Shaw to have success at third base he will not only need to show he is a capable defender but show he can do it with the bat as well. Both first and third base are considered ‘power positions’ just like the corner outfield spots are so Shaw having some thump in his bat will be vital.

Nolan Arenado is the perfect example of what you would design your perfect third baseman to be by being elite on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball with the ability to hit 30+ homers and drive in 110+ RBI. Shaw watching video to try and emulate Arendo is the right route to go given Arenado will certainly be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when his career is over. 

Last season Shaw showed promise in the power department by having a career hit in homeruns with 21 and a solid slugging percentage and OPS of .488 and .867. If Shaw is to be successful this year and be the Cub’s third baseman, he will need to hit at least 20 HRs at the plate to be successful. 

Matt Shaw still has room to grow

Shaw is still young and still grown and will add to his frame. Once he fills the rest of his frame with the muscle and strength needed to be a threat at third base, Shaw could be a top-ten third baseman in the sport once fully developed. Spring training will be a good testing ground to show if Shaw is capable of handling the pressure and if he is ready to make the major league roster.