The Chicago Cubs have headed to Japan where they’ll kick off the 2025 season against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Tokyo Series. And top Cubs prospect Matt Shaw could make his MLB debut in the season opener.
Should Shaw earn the everyday third base job, he would be the first Cubs rookie to man the hot corner since Kris Bryant in 2015, MLB.com’s Jim Callis noted. Bryant went on to win NL Rookie of the Year that season before leading the Cubs to a World Series title and taking home NL MVP honors in 2016.
The Cubs’ top prospect is headed to Tokyo
The Cubs believe they’ve found the team’s next cornerstone infielder in Shaw. The 19th overall prospect in baseball has hit at all levels since being drafted by Chicago in 2023. Now he’s on the brink of his major league debut.
Shaw is getting the opportunity to break in at third base after the Cubs traded Isaac Paredes to the Houston Astros in the Kyle Tucker deal. While an oblique strain threatened his availability for the Tokyo Series, Shaw overcame the injury and returned to the team after a brief absence.
Shaw continued his hot hitting during spring training. While he was forced to miss 10 days, he got in six games and slashed .313/.421/.375. On Tuesday night Cubs fans will find out if it was enough to earn the starting nod from manager Craig Counsell.
It could come down to a matter of necessity as Chicago will be down an infielder in Tokyo. Second baseman Nico Hoerner won’t be playing in Japan as he’s still recovering from surgery on his flexor tendon in October. This cracks the door wide open for Shaw.
While Bryant is an obvious comparison for the rookie third baseman with plenty of offensive power, the Cubs hope Shaw has a different career arc.
Bryant was traded to the San Francisco Giants in 2021 and then landed a massive seven-year, $182 million contract with the Colorado Rockies in 2022. But he experienced a sharp decline since leaving Chicago as injuries have severely impacted his career. He’s played in just 159 games over the last three years after having his 2024 season cut short due to a back ailment.
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