Matt Shaw Passes His First Test In Right Field As His Future On Cubs' Infield Turns Bleaker

The Chicago Cubs' reported agreement with second baseman Nico Hoerner on a six-year contract extension creates multiple knock-on effects, including clarity on Matt Shaw's role with the club going forward.

Simply put, Hoerner staying in Chicago further blocks Shaw on the infield. He is now behind third baseman Alex Bregman, shortstop Dansby Swanson, and Hoerner on the depth chart for the foreseeable future. Those players don't take many days off, either. An injury will be Shaw's main hope of getting back on the dirt full time for the Cubs.

That's why it's important for him to take advantage of the team's decision to try him in right field while Seiya Suzuki is on the injured list. His regular-season debut at the position was a qualified success. After a 50-inning instructional course in spring training, the 24-year-old Shaw got the start in right on Opening Day at Wrigley Field, batting ninth against Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli. Right from the start, he was challenged in the field.

In the top of the second inning, Washington right fielder Daylen Lile hit a 97.6 mph line drive toward the well in deep right. Shaw began drifting back to the warning track. A strong wind was pushing the ball away from him. As the ball passed over his head, Shaw jumped awkwardly, not sure where he was in relation to the wall. He got his glove up in time to make the catch. This was not a routine play -- Statcast gave Lile's drive a .311 xBA.

Two innings later, Shaw had his first outfield assist with the help of Nats shortstop C.J. Abrams. But Shaw deserves credit for making a nice play, as well. He raced into the corner to get to Abrams' liner off the wall, taking a good angle to play the carom. He hit Hoerner with the relay throw, and then Hoerner threw to Swanson to retire Abrams, who loafed out of the batter's box.

In the eighth, Shaw showed off the glove again as he tracked down another Lile liner. This one was measured at 98.4 mph off the bat and given a .380 xBA. 

So, the early verdict on the outfield defense is that Shaw has potential. He can lean on his physical tools until he learns angles and jumps. But there's also the offensive component to this experiment, and Shaw already isn't being trusted with the bat.

After going 0-for-3 (no strikeouts, 82.0 mph average exit velocity) on Thursday, he was lifted for pinch hitter Michael Conforto in the bottom of the eighth. The Cubs had runners at first and second with one out in an 8-4 game. The left-handed swinging Conforto struck out against Nats right-hander Clayton Beeter, and the Cubs went on to lose 10-4. The right-handed hitting Shaw's platoon splits in 2025 -- a 125 wRC+ vs. left-handers and a 82 wRC+ vs. right-handers -- made the switch easy for manager Craig Counsell.

It's a tough ask for him to improve that part of his game as he learns multiple new positions, but even having the pedigree of a tough prospect isn't a guarantee to playing time. The balance needs to shift before Shaw can be more than just a utility guy with the Cubs.