Matt Shaw

Matthew James Shaw Bio

Matthew James Shaw is an American professional baseball infielder who plays for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. Born on November 6, 2001, in Brimfield, Massachusetts, Shaw established himself as one of college baseball’s most prolific power hitters before the Chicago Cubs selected him in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut in March 2025 and quickly became known for his defensive versatility and offensive potential across the infield.

Early Life and Background

Shaw grew up in Brimfield, Massachusetts, where he developed his passion for baseball during his formative years. He initially attended Wilbraham & Monson Academy before transferring to Worcester Academy for his senior year. Shaw honed his skills playing summer collegiate baseball with the Worcester Bravehearts of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League following his graduation.

Path to Professional Baseball

Shaw continued his baseball career at the University of Maryland, where he played for the Maryland Terrapins. As a freshman, he earned Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team honors after batting .332 with 42 runs scored and 30 runs batted in. He returned to the Cape Cod Baseball League during the summers, playing for the Amsterdam Mohawks and later the Bourne Braves, where he hit .360 and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2022. Shaw followed that stellar summer by earning first-team All-Big Ten recognition as a sophomore, batting .290 with 22 home runs and 67 runs batted in. During his junior season, he became Maryland’s all-time leader in home runs, solidifying his reputation as one of college baseball’s premier power hitters. After the 2023 season, Shaw won the Brooks Wallace Award, presented annually to the nation’s top college shortstop.

Matthew James Shaw Career

Amateur Career Highlights (2019–2023)

Before arriving at Maryland, Shaw’s time at Worcester Academy prepared him for the competitive collegiate level. His exceptional performance with the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod Baseball League, widely regarded as one of the premier summer collegiate leagues in the country, opened eyes throughout professional scouting circles. The MVP honor he earned in 2022 came as no surprise to those who had followed his rapid development as a power-hitting infielder.

Chicago Cubs Draft and Minor League Development (2023–2024)

The Chicago Cubs selected Shaw with the 13th overall selection in the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft. He signed with the organization on July 14, 2023, for the full slot value of $4.85 million. Shaw began his professional career by splitting time between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Cubs, High-A South Bend Cubs, and Double-A Tennessee Smokies during his first season. The following year, he continued his ascent through the minor leagues, dividing his 2024 campaign between Tennessee and the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. In 121 total games, he combined to hit .284 with a .379 on-base percentage and .488 slugging percentage, adding 21 home runs, 71 runs batted in, and 31 stolen bases. His outstanding performance earned him the 2024 Southern League Most Valuable Player Award with Tennessee.

Chicago Cubs Era (2025–Present)

Shaw had his contract selected on March 17, 2025, after making the Chicago Cubs Opening Day roster. He made his MLB debut the following day during the MLB Tokyo Series. Shaw recorded an infield single for his first career hit on March 19, and six days later he hit his first major league home run off Jalen Beeks of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Early in his rookie season, Shaw experienced the inevitable adjustments required of young players at the sport’s highest level, batting .172 with limited extra-base hits through his first 18 games and earning a demotion to Triple-A Iowa. He was recalled to the major league club on May 19 and continued working through his offensive struggles. On July 3, Shaw delivered a clutch performance, hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly in extra innings to score the ghost runner in a 1-0 victory over Cleveland. Following mechanical adjustments, Shaw demonstrated marked improvement during the second half of the season, finishing among the league leaders at third base in wRC+ and defensive runs saved.

Defensive Versatility and Strengths

Shaw has established himself as a true utility infielder, capable of playing multiple positions across the diamond. His defensive versatility gives the Cubs valuable flexibility in their lineup construction and defensive alignments. He combines solid instincts at the plate with the ability to impact games both offensively and defensively, positioning himself as a key piece in Chicago’s long-term plans.

Notable Events and Milestones

Shaw’s rookie season featured several memorable moments, from his first major league hit in Tokyo to his dramatic walk-off sacrifice fly against Cleveland. His strong finish to the 2025 season, highlighted by improved offensive numbers and elite defensive metrics at third base, signaled his ability to make sustained contributions at the major league level.

Matthew James Shaw Career Wins and Achievements

Shaw’s professional career has already produced notable statistics across multiple levels of competition, from his dominant college career through his rapid rise to the majors.

Major League Baseball Highlights

Through June 26, 2026, Shaw has compiled a .231 batting average with 17 home runs and 64 runs batted in across his time with the Chicago Cubs. His ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game, combined with his defensive excellence at third base, has made him an integral part of Chicago’s infield.

International Competition

Shaw represented the United States on the national baseball team at the 2024 WBSC Premier12 tournament in Tokyo. He delivered an outstanding performance, earning a spot on the All-World Team as the tournament’s best third baseman while leading the event in runs batted in. His international success further demonstrated his ability to perform on the biggest stages against elite competition.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Shaw has accumulated several prestigious honors. In college, he won the Brooks Wallace Award in 2023 as the nation’s top college shortstop and earned multiple All-Big Ten selections. He was named Cape Cod Baseball League MVP in 2022 and earned Big Ten All-Freshman team recognition in 2020. His minor league success includes the 2024 Southern League Most Valuable Player Award.

Matthew James Shaw Family

Family Background

Shaw grew up in Brimfield, Massachusetts, as a local product who worked his way through the amateur baseball ranks before achieving national recognition at the University of Maryland.

Personal Life

Shaw has maintained strong connections to the Glendale, Arizona community, where he resided during parts of his professional career. He has expressed his commitment to the Chicago Cubs organization and his excitement about contributing to the team’s success.

2025 Season Performance

Shaw’s rookie season with the Chicago Cubs presented typical challenges for a young player making the jump to major league competition. After a memorable debut in Tokyo during the season-opening series, he navigated the inevitable adjustments required of players facing elite pitching for the first time. His mid-season demotion to Triple-A Iowa tested his resilience, but he responded by earning a return to the major league roster in May. The walk-off sacrifice fly against Cleveland in July represented a turning point in his confidence and comfort level at the plate. Following mechanical adjustments implemented by the Cubs coaching staff, Shaw’s production improved significantly during the second half of the season. His strong defensive metrics at third base, particularly in wRC+ and defensive runs saved, demonstrated his ability to contribute value even during periods when his offensive numbers fluctuated. Looking ahead, Shaw appears positioned to play an expanded role in Chicago’s infield as he continues to develop at the major league level.