Ron Schloerb/Cape Cod Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
Chicago Cubs First-Round Pick Shaw Moves Into Top 100 Prospects
The Chicago Cubs selected Maryland infielder Matt Shaw in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft and in doing so added to their stash of Top 100 overall prospects, per Baseball America.
The site re-ranked its Top 100, taking into account draft picks across baseball, even though not all of them are signed. Teams have until July 25 to sign their picks.
Shaw entered the Top 100 at No. 95. The site’s logic?
Shaw won MVP of the Cape Cod League and Big Ten player of the year at Maryland before the Cubs drafted him 13th overall. He’s an advanced hitter who makes consistently hard contact and is also an adept basestealer, giving him plenty of ways to contribute at the plate.
Shaw is 22 years old and is considered a well-rounded college player with a history of walking more than he strikes out.
He also set career highs in home runs and stolen bases in his final season with Maryland. He’s versatile enough to play shortstop or second base, meaning he would play alongside Swanson in Chicago one day as opposed to replacing the veteran.
The Cubs have two other prospects among the Top 100.
The Cubs’ top prospect, at No. 16 overall, remained outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, who is with Double-A Tennessee and has a reputation as one of minor league baseball’s best defensive outfielders. He played in the MLB Futures Game last weekend.
Right-handed pitcher Cade Horton, ranked No. 31 overall, was the Cubs’ first-round pick last summer and is at High Class-A South Bend. He is 3-2 this season with a 3.19 ERA.
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