Chicago Cubs Minor League Star Predicted To Take Over Third Base This Year
When discussing the Chicago Cubs and their roster heading into the 2024 season, the main question that persists is what's going to unfold at third base.
They had a rotating cast of characters their throughout last year, something the front office is hoping to avoid this season.
So, it seems like the competition will come down to the usual suspects of Patrick Wisdom, Nick Madrigal and Christopher Morel.
All three present issues for the Cubs.
Morel, who is going to get a real shot to win the job, is the best hitter out of the group, but has struggled defensively. Madrigal is the best defender, something Chicago wants in their infield, but doesn't bring much to the plate.
Wisdom is an above-average hitter based on OPS+, but his strike out percentage and low batting average is frustrating to deal with when paired together with his below-average defense.
One of these players is going to win this position coming out of camp.
But Mike Axisa of CBS Sports thinks another player will be the starting third baseman by the time the season ends.
"... don't be surprised if [Matt] Shaw finishes the season at third base for the Cubs. Whoever wins this spring training position battle may not keep the job through September," he writes.
This would be quite the interesting development.
The 22-year-old only played 38 games in his first professional season last year, making it up to Double-A.
Matt Shaw was impressive during this campaign, finishing with a slash line of .357/.400/.618, eight home runs, 28 RBI and 15 stolen bases.
Chicago selected the infielder with their 13th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and he is already ranked as the organization's No. 7 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
Becoming the starting third baseman would be a huge jump for Shaw to make in his second season of professional baseball.
It could happen, though.
Nico Hoerner was taken in the first round of the 2018 draft and made his MLB debut for the Cubs one year later.
Maybe that's in the cards for Shaw, who is an ultra-talented player just like Hoerner was at this stage of his career.
