Matt Shaw is making the most of his time with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, and his recent performance has caught the attention of Cubs fans and management alike. After a strong start in a Thursday doubleheader against St. Paul, Shaw hit two home runs, including a leadoff blast and a walk-off homer in the nightcap, leading the I-Cubs to an 8-7 victory.
Shaw, who is ranked as Chicago’s top prospect, has been on a tear since his demotion to Triple-A. His recent success includes a .907 OPS over the past two weeks, fueled by 22 total bases in his last six starts.
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“It’s really nice to have one of those days where everything kind of falls into place,” Shaw said postgame. “You get a couple of home runs and you have a good day. Obviously, really exciting and I’m really happy about it.”
Chicago Cubs second base Matt Shaw (6) celebrates after hitting a two run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh inning at Chase Field.Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Shaw’s growth has been evident in his time at Triple-A. After struggling with a .216 average in Double-A last year, Shaw bounced back with a dominant performance in June and July of 2024, leading to a call-up to Triple-A and eventually earning a spot on the Cubs’ 2025 Opening Day roster. However, after a rough start to the season, the Cubs optioned him to Triple-A on April 15 to refine his swing.
In his return to Iowa, Shaw has demonstrated impressive patience at the plate, walking more than he has struck out, while continuing to show his power. His recent hot streak has him well-positioned for a potential return to the majors.
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While Shaw’s future with the Cubs is still uncertain, his recent performances suggest that he’s rapidly closing in on a spot back in the big leagues. With his confidence growing, Shaw’s next opportunity could be just around the corner.
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