Cubs to Recall Top Prospect Matt Shaw After Torrid Stretch in Minor Leagues

Shaw returns to the Cubs for their road trip to Miami and will replace infielder Nicky Lopez on the major league roster. Lopez was hitting just .042 in 24 at-bats in the major leagues, and Heyman reports the Cubs are looking to trade the defensive specialist.

The Cubs are bringing Shaw back up after a great stretch down in the Minor Leagues with Triple-A Iowa. In 91 at-bats, Shaw hit .286 with 26 hits, 22 runs, five doubles, one triple, six home runs, 14 RBI, 17 walks, and 11 strikeouts. Shaw also stole five bases and wasn't caught once.

Throughout his time in the minor leagues, Shaw has been incredible. He's average a .301 batting average, .388 on base percentage, .527 slugging percentage, and a .915 OPS across 183 games in the Minor Leagues.

But he was sent down early in the Major League season due to a poor start. In 58 at-bats, Shaw hit .172 with 10 hits, 11 runs, one double, one home run, 3 RBI, 10 walks, and 18 strikeouts. 

The 23-year-old still has a bright future ahead of him, but he'll need to rebound from a rough first go at thing in the major leagues. With the Cubs sitting atop the National League Central, Shaw will play a factor in Chicago returning to the postseason in 2025.

After a torrid stretch in the minor leagues, the Cubs' top-ranked prospect and MLB's 18th-ranked prospect will get his second chance in the major leagues. Shaw will likely get an opportunity to start at third base right away.