Matt Shaw’s journey back to the Chicago Cubs is shaping up to be quite the comeback narrative. After an initial stint in the majors that was less than stellar, Shaw has hit his stride with a remarkable .365 on-base percentage since being called back up. It turns out, a crucial swing adjustment has been the secret ingredient, allowing him to send balls rocketing to every part of the field.
Not only has Shaw’s bat been catching eyes, but his glove work at third base is turning heads, too. He’s beginning to live up to the promise that convinced the Cubs to have him on the 26-man roster from the get-go. Yet, despite these improvements, there’s still a glitch in his game matrix: his average exit velocity, which is still trailing behind the league norm. But don’t be fooled, Shaw’s been upping the ante, hitting the ball with increasing force of late.
Heading into Saturday’s matchup against the Detroit Tigers, Shaw had been keeping his knocks strictly inside the park. But this was the day the script flipped. With home runs popping off the bats for the Cubs, Shaw stepped into the batter’s box in a 4-1 game during the seventh inning. That’s when he seized the moment, crushing a 2-1 changeup into deep left for his second big-league home run.
Let’s talk stats: Shaw’s blast clocked in at an impressive 107.6 mph. In just the five games of this road trip, Shaw has cranked out seven hits that zipped out at over 101.0 mph. Not bad for someone touted as the Cubs’ third baseman of the future, right?
Here’s the kicker though: Shaw’s homer was a bright spot, but it also shone a light on a bigger issue within the Cubs’ roster. Commentator Jim Deshaies pointed out that his home run was the first by any Cubs third baseman this season. Yes, Shaw had one earlier, but that was off the bench, illustrating the power drought from the hot corner. Meanwhile, other positions have been flexing their muscles, leaving the lack of third-base power somewhat of an underrated concern.
But there’s hope that Shaw’s recent power surge is a glimpse of what’s ahead for the Cubs’ potent lineup, currently fifth in the majors with 88 home runs. If Shaw can continue to find his power groove, it could amplify what’s already one of MLB’s fiercest offenses as they eye a postseason push.
