The Chicago Cubs have announced the recall of infielder Matt Shaw from Triple-A Iowa, while designating fellow infielder Nicky Lopez for assignment. This move marks Shaw’s second appearance in the majors this season; he initially started the year on the big-league roster but was sent down in mid-April after struggling at the plate.
In his initial stint, the 23-year-old Shaw recorded a batting average of only .172 with a limited on-base percentage of .294 and a slugging percentage of .241 over 18 games. However, he rebounded impressively upon his return to Triple-A, achieving a .286 batting average with a .409 on-base percentage and a .560 slugging percentage in 24 games, including six home runs. His improved performance has kept him in contention for the NL Rookie of the Year award.
In recent games, the Cubs have employed a timeshare at third base involving Lopez, Jon Berti, and Vidal Bruján. With Shaw now back up, he is expected to take the majority of the playing time at third.
The young infielder was previously rated as the 28th-best prospect in the minors by CBS Sports, where he showcased significant potential with a strong offensive performance in Triple-A, including a notable 35-game stretch with a .929 OPS. Shaw’s hard contact ability and notable power, particularly his capacity to drive the ball to the opposite field, suggest that he has a bright future ahead, possibly solidifying his role at either second or third base.
As of now, the Cubs hold a strong 28-19 record, placing them first in the National League Central, indicating a productive season thus far and promising potential for Shaw’s contributions moving forward. With Shaw back on the roster, fans can look forward to seeing how he will help the Cubs maintain their competitive edge.