Article: North Side Baseball Draft Preview: Matt Shaw

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Matt Shaw is a middle infield prospect from Maryland. He possesses a very solid bat that projects to be above-average in both the “hit” and “power” categories. On the most recent Consensus Big Board update, Shaw checked in at 14th overall.

Image courtesy of Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen

Over the next two weeks, we're going to be providing you with profiles of 10 players the Cubs could take with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.

Who is He?
Matt Shaw started at shortstop for the past two years for Maryland after splitting time between second base and third base as a freshman. He’s demonstrated quite a bit of power for the Terrapins the last two seasons and posted career numbers in the 2023 season with 90 hits, 20 doubles, 24 home runs, 80 runs scored, 69 runs driven in, a .341 batting average, .445 on-base percentage, and .697 slugging percentage. It goes without saying that his 1.142 OPS was also a career-high. He also posted more walks (43) than strikeouts (42). This all came on the heels of being named the Cape Cod League MVP in the summer of 2022 with a slash line of .360/.432/.574 (1.006). That certainly helped teams take notice and he continued to improve his stock with his 2023 season.

Why the Cubs Will Draft Him
If the Cubs are in the market for a middle infielder, Matt Shaw has been one of the more impressive infield bats over the previous year. He may not have come into the season with the same accolades as Jacob Gonzalez. He may not have put up the numbers that Tommy Troy has. Or be as well known as Brayden Taylor. But if you’re looking for the complete package of production, potential and positional value, Shaw could rise to the top. He also has above-average speed, which is another positive as teams are attempting to steal bases at such a high rate.

Why the Cubs Won't Draft Him
As mentioned above, there are a number of potential college middle infielders in the same general area as Shaw. That’s not to mention the high school players in the same area or the pitchers who could potentially be available too.

Shaw doesn’t do anything that is going to set himself apart from the entire group. He’s a solid option for any team, for sure. But if you’re looking for something specific - power, speed, whatever it is - there is probably going to be a better option.

What do you think of Matt Shaw as a prospect? How would you feel about him being the Cubs pick at 13th overall? Join the discussion in the comments.

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Previous Draft Articles and Profiles
Aidan Miller
Rhett Lowder
Enrique Bradfield, Jr
Jacob Gonzalez
Tommy Troy

Nygaard Mock Draft v.2

Consensus Big Board Profiles: 26-50
Consensus Big Board Profiles: 1-25

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[Outshined_One]

Does Shaw actually project as a major league SS, or is he one of those Zobrist types who can play around the diamond, but you wouldn't want him getting regular playing time at short barring catastrophe?

[Jeremy Nygaard]

I think Shaw will get a shot at shortstop, but probably wouldn't be his best long-term fit. The more I dig on these college guys, the more I like Shaw compared to the rest. I don't think you're getting a slam-dunk shortstop with any of them and he's got a power/speed combo that I really like. 

Plus, he's a Big Ten guy... so he's played in weather that isn't perfect.