Cubs Prospect’s Sudden Demotion After 18 Games Has One Bright Side
April 16, 2025
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Andrew Wright is a Newsweek contributor based in Lancaster, South Carolina. His focus is MLB content. Andrew has been with Newsweek since April 1st and previously worked at Yardbarker, SEC Unfiltered and more. He is a graduate of Charleston Southern University.
You can get in touch with Andrew by emailing a.wright@newsweek.com or dew4417@icloud.com
Andrew Wright
Contributing Sports Writer
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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Going back to the end of last year’s Minor League Baseball season, third baseman and Chicago Cubs top prospect Matt Shaw was making quite a bit of noise, and it got to the point that Shaw had a chance to crack the opening day roster for the Cubs this season.
His .284 batting average with 21 home runs and 71 RBIs across two minor league levels was hard to ignore. His path to the big-league roster opened up even more when Chicago traded both Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith to the Houston Astros, leaving a wide-open spot at third base.
Shaw did well enough in spring training and he earned the right to be the opening day third baseman for the Cubs when they traveled to Japan for the Tokyo Series against the Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 13: Matt Shaw #6 of the Chicago Cubs makes a play against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 13: Matt Shaw #6 of the Chicago Cubs makes a play against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images
Shaw recorded his first career hit in that series, but not much has gone right since then. After Chicago’s 10-4 loss to the San Diego Padres on Monday, Shaw’s season average sat at just .172 across 58 at-bats.
Tuesday, he was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to make room for a returning Vidal Brujan off the injured list. It was a bit shocking to see someone who the Cubs staff and front office put so much faith in be sent down so suddenly and early in his career.
Being demoted isn’t the end of the world for Shaw. As noted by Marquee Sports Network’s Alex Cohen, Kyle Tucker had a slash line of .141/.236/.203 across his first 72 plate appearances in the major leagues, well below Shaw’s line of .172/.294/.291 in 68 plate appearances.
It is possible that Shaw’s confidence will take a hit, and it will take him some time in the minor leagues to get things sorted back out. It is also possible that Shaw will dominate minor league pitching like he did last season and will be back in Chicago before the All-Star break. Either way, the trip back down to Iowa will do him more good than bad and he will absolutely be back at Wrigley Field sooner than later.
More MLB: How Change of Scenery Could Ignite Luis Robert Jr., Mets Under Massive Trade Idea
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