The Chicago Cubs entered the 2025 season with high hopes for a young core poised to take a leap forward. Among those young talents was Matt Shaw, a highly touted infield prospect expected to play a key role in the team’s competitive outlook. However, as the trade deadline approaches, Shaw’s struggles at the plate and in the field have complicated the team’s long-term vision and forced the front office to reevaluate its plans.
Shaw, a first-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, rose quickly through the minor league system and earned praise for his advanced bat, athleticism, and work ethic. He began the year as part of the Cubs’ infield rotation, splitting time between second and third base. The expectation was that he would continue to develop at the major league level while contributing to a playoff-caliber roster.
Instead, Shaw has regressed in key areas of his game. Through mid-July, he’s batting just .201 with a .273 on-base percentage and a .312 slugging
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