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Is Cubs’ top prospect Matt Shaw worth adding from waiver wires?

Is Cubs’ top prospect Matt Shaw worth adding from waiver wires?

MLB DraftKings Network

Published:

By: Zach Thompson

Coming into the season, Cubs’ prospect Matt Shaw was getting some Rookie of the Year buzz and looked lined up to be the team’s everyday 3B. Things didn’t go as planned, though, and he was sent to Triple-A to get some extra playing time and find his groove. On Monday, the Cubs recalled Shaw, but does that mean he should be back on your fantasy baseball radar? Let’s take a look!

Shaw hit only .172 (10-for-58) in his 18 games in the majors earlier this season, with one double, one home run, and a .256 wOBA. He also had an ugly 26.5% strikeout rate and just a 22.5% hard-hit rate.

In Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs, he seemed to find his footing, though. Over 110 plate appearances he hit .286 with five doubles, six home runs, five stolen bases and just a 10% strikeout rate. He also had a 43.8% hard-hit rate. Since he only played 35 games last year at Triple-A, it’s not shocking that he needed a little more seasoning at that level to start the year.

He caught fire over the last week for Iowa, hitting .346 with five homers and a .556 wOBA along with a seven RBI, four walks and just two strikeouts.

Shaw has both power and speed upside and typically plays all-out, gritty baseball that should be an awesome fit with the rest of the Cubs’ lineup of scrappers. I had Shaw as one of my top 3B breakouts coming into spring training, and I still believe in his upside despite this little detour on the path to success.

Fantasy Baseball Impact

The fact that the Cubs are recalling Matt Shaw means that they’re ready to give him another long look at 3B. He has the upside to be an instant waiver wire add in 12-team leagues, and could quickly force his way into the discussion in smaller leagues as well. He’s joining a lineup that has scored plenty of runs this year, so if he can get on base, he should have good run production potential as well.

Shaw’s playing time will mostly come at the expense of Jon Berti, who will shift into a utility role. Defensive specialist Nicky Lopez was designated for assignment and will likely pass through waivers unclaimed. He’ll probably get picked up as a defensive depth option on a minor-league contract, either with the Cubs or another team.

Shaw is $3,300 in DFS fantasy baseball contests for this Monday night, when the Cubs are on the early slate, highlighted by the MLB $20K Extra Inning [$5K to 1st] (Turbo). He’s also still on the board at a massive +6000 for National League Rookie of the Year

Zach Thompson
Zach has been part of the DraftKings team since 2017 and covers baseball, basketball, golf, football and any other sport that offers DFS fun. He has been playing fantasy sports since box scores were only available in the newspaper the following day. Even though he grew up almost 8,000 miles away in Guam, he is a diehard Boston sports fan but will take a fantasy value play wherever he can get it, even if it’s from the Yankees.
Disclaimer

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is z.thompson) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.