CINCINNATI — The Chicago Cubs have maintained a lead in the NL Central for much of the 2025 season, powered by a strong offense. Nonetheless, third base remained an offensive challenge until rookie Matt Shaw’s recent return from a minor league demotion sparked a noticeable improvement. Shaw’s Cub rookie turnaround after minor league demotion has brought newfound stability to a previously problematic position.
Currently holding a two-game lead in the NL Central, the Cubs boast impressive offensive statistics, ranking first across the majors in batting average and runs scored, while also posting top-three spots in on-base and slugging percentages. Yet the third base position lagged, with Cubs’ players collectively hitting just .208/.286/.268 in that role. Shaw began the season there, but the team also rotated several others—Jon Berti, Gage Workman, Nicky Lopez, Vidal Bruján, and Justin Turner—to fill the spot, without success. Shaw’s recent progress, however, suggests a turning point.
Early Struggles Prompt Return to Triple-A
At 23 years old, Matt Shaw struggled to find his rhythm early on, hitting only .172/.294/.241 through his first 18 major league games with 18 strikeouts. Despite showing discipline by drawing walks, he faced difficulties with timing and generating solid contact. In response, the Cubs sent Shaw back to Triple-A Iowa, where he was granted an opportunity to regain confidence and adjust his approach. Shaw accepted the decision, understanding its necessity for his development.
“There’s not time for young guys to struggle when we want to win, so it was exactly what I needed,”
Shaw told CBS Sports Friday.
“I think it was something that I really needed. I felt like I needed it, even at the time. As unfortunate as it was, it felt like something that I needed. It was just part of the journey and, yeah, I’ve stayed confident.”
Transformations Made in the Minors
During his 24 games in Triple-A, Shaw showed marked improvement, slashing .286/.409/.560 while adding power and speed with five doubles, a triple, six home runs, and five stolen bases. This performance helped restore his confidence, a key factor for a young player without an established major league track record.
“I think half the battle is obviously getting that confidence back and being in position that you feel good and you feel comfortable,”
Shaw said.
“Not having had much success in the big leagues yet, being the young guy, there’s nothing really to fall back on there.”
Additionally, Shaw implemented specific adjustments to his swing mechanics to improve timing and consistency. Cubs manager Craig Counsell highlighted these changes during a Friday interview.
“We’ve asked him to make some changes and I think he’s done really well with them,”
Counsell said.
“I think the easiest thing to see is that he’s a little more upright, not as much on his legs as he was in April in the big leagues. The leg kick is smaller just to get him to be on time as much as he possibly can. Those are the two differences that I think you can see and those kind of lead to smaller mechanical things that I think will allow him to be more consistent.”
Immediate Impact Since Return to the Majors
Since being recalled to the Cubs, Shaw has showcased his adjustments, producing hits in five of six games and consistently making solid contact, even in a hitless outing. Collectively, in these six games, Shaw has gone 9-for-25 (.360) with five doubles, resulting in a .560 slugging percentage. Despite the early season setback, he retains strong odds (+1100) to secure the NL Rookie of the Year award, according to Caesars Sportsbook.
While the Cubs’ effective lineup limits Shaw’s spot to around the No. 8 position, his resurgence has fortified Chicago’s offense, finally addressing their weakest link with confidence.
What Shaw’s Comeback Means for the Cubs’ Season Ahead
Reflecting on his experience, Shaw recognized the benefits of his time in the minors to recalibrate and refine his skills.
“I think the stint back in Triple-A gave me a little perspective about the big leagues and gave me a breath of fresh air to kind of take a step back,”
he said.
“It also gave me some time to work on things, all of which I needed.”
“Hopefully I can take what I’ve learned from the minor leagues and continue to grow into a better hitter.”
With his confidence restored and adjustments in place, Shaw has helped solidify the Cubs’ capabilities at third base just as they prepare for a promising homestand against the Rockies and Reds. Chicago (32-21) appears to have found a reliable everyday option at a position that had troubled them all season, giving the team a stronger foundation to maintain their NL Central lead moving forward.