Matt Shaw adds another position to his repertoire as he embraces his super-utility role

MESA, Ariz. — The announcement over the loudspeaker felt odd.

Now at the plate, first baseman Matt Shaw.

“Yeah, that was weird for sure,” Shaw said.

Shaw, a first-round draft pick in 2023 opened last season as the team’s third baseman and over the course of the season, developed into a more than capable defender. A shortstop in college, Shaw was largely unfamiliar with the hot corner. But the Cubs knew that was his quickest path to the big leagues and had him work there in 2024. It wasn’t always pretty that year, but he was a quick learner. By the end of last season, Shaw took to the spot well enough to earn a Gold Glove finalist nod.

But with the offseason signing of Alex Bregman, Shaw was moved to a super-utility role. Shaw has made six starts in right field, one in center (and another game where he moved from right to center), two at second, two at third and now Wednesday’s game at first. According to Shaw, it was his first time at the spot ever.

Shaw was expected to handle multiple positions this spring, but first base is an added wrinkle after the injury to backup first baseman Tyler Austin. Shaw said he’s had about three days of work at the position in camp before getting in a game.

“We’re giving him a difficult spring training experience here,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “We’re moving him around a lot. You’re going to see him at first base. I respect what he’s doing this spring, it hasn’t been easy for sure. But I’d rather make it hard right now and then go into the season with at least some experience at all these things.”

By making it difficult for Shaw this spring, the hope is that it gets easier in time. Almost as if he’s being overloaded with information now so when it’s test time, it’ll feel simple. That’s the hopeful outlook, of course.

Shaw had multiple balls hit in his vicinity Wednesday but made plays on two and deferred to Gold Glove second baseman Nico Hoerner on a pair of “tweeners.” He fielded one without issue and made the out at first but made an error on his second opportunity, failing to pick a short hop cleanly.

“The ball off the bat almost feels exactly the same (as third),” Shaw said. “Obviously, I don’t have to range as much to my right because Nico will be there. I will have a lot more time at first. That ball today, I probably could have taken it back just knowing I have more time. Still trying to make the right read and not change too much but know that if there’s an in-between ball, I have more time.”

What Shaw means by that is he has more time to wait on a ball at first and get the cleanest hop. At third he often has to charge a ball and can’t be choosy on a hop because he has to make a throw to get the runner. There is a slight mindset change when playing first.

It’s all part of the process as he learns how to handle so many different positions. There are multiple gloves he has to wear and various thoughts going through his head. Only experience will really prepare him for the nuance it will take to master each position.

“We’ve accomplished a lot of what we wanted to accomplish and seen a lot of what we’ve wanted to see,” Counsell said.

Counsell obviously would love to get Shaw even more time at each position, but there just aren’t enough days to get that done. Essentially, this spring is like drinking from a firehose for Shaw, who has handled it well. The lessons will continue in the regular season with each day of experience he gets at different spots on the field.

Counsell said he’s happy with the time they have gotten him on defense and the plays he’s been forced to handle.

“Honestly, it’s been a lot of fun,” Shaw said. “It feels like Little League, playing a bunch of different positions and moving around. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

The staff has been impressed with what Shaw has done in the field and how he’s handling a difficult transition so early in his career.

“Matt’s athleticism is what shows up first,” Counsell said. “That makes you confident that the more he’s out there, it’s just going to keep getting better. I think that’s the takeaway from the coaching staff. His athleticism is going to allow him to get better at this.”

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