There is a position the Chicago Cubs could use some help at and that’s third base.
The Cubs tried several players there, including Christopher Morel, and he’s gotten some reps there in spring training.
The departure of Jeimer Candelario, their trade deadline acquisition from a year ago who signed elsewhere, has put the Cubs in a bit of a bind. They need a third baseman that can defend and bring them some power.
Morel can bring the power, but his .967 fielding percentage at third base leaves much to be desired.
The Cubs have a stacked minor league system and it’s possible the answer — perhaps not this year, but soon — may be there.
Enter Matt Shaw. The Cubs just selected him with the No. 13 pick in last July’s MLB Draft. Part of the reason he was selected was because he was a polished college hitter. But during a recent spring training game he showed off the glove and he made this play at third base look smooth.
Shaw played shortstop at Maryland. But the Cubs have a pretty solid option at the position in Dansby Swanson, who isn’t going anywhere in the near future. So if Shaw wants to play in the Majors he has to find a new position.
Shaw got on the field after his selection and he quickly made an impression at the plate. He slashed .357/.400/.618/1.018 with nine doubles, four triples, eight home runs and 28 RBI. He played for the Cubs’ Arizona Complex League rookie team, High-A South Bend and Double-A Tennessee.
Shaw made only three starts at third base last season. But that’s why he’s playing the position in spring training.
If Shaw really could transition to third base and handle the hot corner defensively that would not only bolster Chicago’s offense but allow them to keep their Gold Glove middle infield together, with Nico Hoerner manning second base alongside Swanson.
If Shaw soars that far that fast, he will have earned it.
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