Matt Shaw Bio
Matthew James Shaw, known professionally as Matt Shaw, is an American professional baseball infielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). A highly regarded prospect out of college, he made his MLB debut in 2025 during the league’s Tokyo Series against international competition. Shaw bats and throws right-handed, and he has been used primarily at third base during his early major league tenure.
Early Life and Background
Matthew James Shaw was born on November 6, 2001, in Brimfield, Massachusetts, USA. He grew up in Brimfield and developed his baseball skills in the New England region, an area known for its strong amateur baseball tradition. Shaw attended Wilbraham and Monson Academy for his early high school years before transferring to Worcester Academy to complete his secondary education.
After graduating from Worcester Academy, Shaw played summer collegiate baseball for the Worcester Bravehearts of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League of Baseball (FCBL). That summer circuit provided him with a competitive platform to refine his game before enrolling at the University of Maryland, where he would go on to establish himself as one of the top college players in the nation.
Path to Professional Baseball
As a freshman for the Maryland Terrapins, Shaw was named to the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman Team after batting .332 with 42 runs scored and 30 runs batted in (RBIs). He returned to the Futures Collegiate Baseball League of Baseball that summer, suiting up for the Amsterdam Mohawks to continue his development against top collegiate competition.
Back at Maryland for his sophomore season, Shaw broke out as a power hitter and was named first-team All-Big Ten after batting .290 with 22 home runs and 67 runs batted in. During the summer of 2022, he played for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he hit .360 and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. Shaw became Maryland’s all-time leader in home runs during his junior season and, after the 2023 campaign, he won the Brooks Wallace Award, given annually to the nation’s best college shortstop.
Matt Shaw Career
Early Career (2023)
The Chicago Cubs selected Shaw in the first round, with the 13th overall pick, of the 2023 Major League Baseball draft. On July 14, 2023, Shaw signed with the Chicago Cubs for the full slot value of $4.85 million, signaling the organization’s strong commitment to his long-term development. He split his first professional season between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Cubs, the High-A South Bend Cubs, and the Double-A Tennessee Smokies.
Across those three levels, Shaw showcased the offensive profile that had made him a top amateur talent, combining power at the plate with the ability to play multiple infield positions. The Cubs were deliberate in moving him through the system, ensuring that he faced a range of competition before reaching Triple-A.
Minor League Breakthrough (2024)
In 2024, Shaw split the season between the Double-A Tennessee Smokies and the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, playing in 121 total games. He hit .284 with a .379 on-base percentage and a .488 slugging percentage, collecting 21 home runs, 71 runs batted in, and 31 stolen bases. That production earned him the 2024 Southern League Most Valuable Player Award with the Tennessee Smokies.
The blend of power, plate discipline, and baserunning that Shaw displayed convinced the Chicago Cubs that he was ready to compete for an Opening Day roster spot. By the end of the 2024 campaign, he had established himself as one of the premier position-player prospects in all of professional baseball.
Chicago Cubs Era (2025–Present)
On March 17, 2025, Shaw had his contract selected by the Chicago Cubs after making the team’s Opening Day roster. He made his MLB debut on March 18 during the MLB Tokyo Series, becoming one of the first Cubs players to debut in Japan. Shaw recorded an infield single as his first career major league hit the following day, and on March 29 he hit his first career home run, a pinch-hit shot off Jalen Beeks of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Shaw initially struggled as the Chicago Cubs’ starting third baseman, batting .172 with 1 home run and 18 strikeouts across 18 games before being demoted to Triple-A Iowa. He was recalled to the major league club on May 19 and was inserted back into the starting lineup at third base. On July 3, Shaw delivered one of the most memorable moments of his rookie season, hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly in extra innings to score the zombie runner in a 1-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians.
Driving Style and Strengths
Shaw is regarded as a complete offensive player whose game is built around plus raw power to all fields, a discerning eye at the plate, and above-average baserunning instincts. Defensively, his strong arm and athletic footwork profile well at third base, where he has shown the range and instincts to handle the position at the major league level. His makeup and work ethic have drawn praise from the Chicago Cubs organization throughout his development.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Shaw’s most notable early major league moments are his debut during the 2025 MLB Tokyo Series and his walk-off sacrifice fly against the Cleveland Guardians on July 3, 2025. He also represented the United States on the international stage, being named to the 2024 WBSC Premier12 All-World Team as the best third baseman and leading the tournament in runs batted in.
Matt Shaw Career Wins
Matthew James Shaw’s early career highlights reflect his rapid rise through the amateur and professional ranks. He earned All-Freshman and first-team All-Big Ten honors at Maryland, captured the Cape Cod Baseball League Most Valuable Player award, set the Terrapins’ all-time home run record, and was named the Southern League’s Most Valuable Player in 2024 with the Tennessee Smokies.
Minor League Highlights
Shaw’s most recent standout performance came during the 2024 season, when he hit .284/.379/.488 with 21 home runs, 71 runs batted in, and 31 stolen bases across Double-A and Triple-A. His first professional home run came during his debut season split between the Arizona Complex League Cubs, South Bend Cubs, and Tennessee Smokies, and his Southern League MVP campaign established him as a top prospect in professional baseball.
Other Wins and Performances
On the international stage, Shaw was named to the United States national baseball team for the 2024 WBSC Premier12 tournament. He earned All-World Team honors as the best third baseman and led the entire tournament in runs batted in, capping a strong year that bridged his minor league success and his eventual major league debut.
Matt Shaw Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Matthew James Shaw was raised in Brimfield, Massachusetts, where his family roots are based. Specific details about his parents and immediate family have not been widely disclosed in verified public sources.
Personal Life
Shaw has kept much of his personal life private as he focuses on his early major league career with the Chicago Cubs. Publicly available information about his marital status, spouse, or children has not been confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents Matt Shaw’s first full year in Major League Baseball after a strong minor league buildup. Following his demotion to Triple-A Iowa early in the year, he was recalled to the Chicago Cubs on May 19 and re-inserted into the starting lineup at third base. He produced one of the season’s signature moments on July 3 with a walk-off sacrifice fly in extra innings to beat the Cleveland Guardians by a score of 1-0.
Shaw’s international profile was further boosted by his selection to the United States national baseball team for the 2024 WBSC Premier12, where he was named the best third baseman in the tournament and led all players in runs batted in. That performance, combined with his 2024 Southern League Most Valuable Player Award, underscored his readiness to contribute at the major league level.
Looking ahead, the Chicago Cubs view Shaw as a foundational piece of their long-term plans. With his combination of power, plate discipline, and defensive versatility at third base, he is expected to be a central figure in the team’s lineup for years to come, provided he continues to refine his approach against major league pitching and builds on the flashes of brilliance he showed as a rookie.