Matthew James Shaw Bio
Matthew James Shaw is an American professional baseball infielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2025 and has quickly established himself as a promising player in the league. Known for his strong batting skills and versatility on the field, Shaw has garnered attention for his performance at both the collegiate and professional levels.
Early Life and Background
Matthew James Shaw was born on November 6, 2001, in Brimfield, Massachusetts, USA. He grew up in a supportive environment that nurtured his passion for baseball. Shaw initially attended Wilbraham & Monson Academy before transferring to Worcester Academy, where he further honed his skills in the sport. His early exposure to competitive baseball came through summer collegiate leagues, where he played for the Worcester Bravehearts of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL) after graduating high school.
Path to Baseball
Shaw’s journey to professional baseball began in earnest during his collegiate career at the University of Maryland. As a freshman, he made a significant impact by earning a spot on the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team, batting .332 with 42 runs scored and 30 runs batted in (RBIs). His performance continued to improve, and he was named first team All-Big Ten as a sophomore after hitting .290 with 22 home runs and 67 RBIs. During the summer of 2022, Shaw played for the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he excelled, hitting .360 and earning the league’s MVP award. By his junior season, he became Maryland’s all-time leader in home runs and was honored with the Brooks Wallace Award after the 2023 season.
Matthew James Shaw Career
Early Career (2023-2024)
The Chicago Cubs selected Matthew James Shaw in the first round of the 2023 Major League Baseball draft, choosing him with the 13th overall pick. He signed with the Cubs for the full slot value of $4.85 million on July 14, 2023. Shaw’s first professional season saw him split time between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Cubs, High-A South Bend Cubs, and Double-A Tennessee Smokies. In 2024, he continued to impress, playing for Tennessee and the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, where he participated in 121 games and achieved a batting average of .284 with 21 home runs, 71 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases. His outstanding performance earned him the 2024 Southern League Most Valuable Player Award.
Breakthrough (2025)
Shaw’s breakthrough came in 2025 when he made the Chicago Cubs’ Opening Day roster. He made his MLB debut on March 18, 2025, during the MLB Tokyo Series. Shaw recorded his first career hit as a major leaguer the following day with an infield single. On March 29, he hit his first career home run against Jalen Beeks of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Despite facing challenges as the Cubs’ starting third baseman, including a batting average of .172 with one home run in his first 18 games, Shaw demonstrated resilience. He was demoted to the Triple-A Iowa affiliate but was recalled on May 19, 2025, and returned to the starting lineup. Notably, on July 3, he hit a walk-off sacrifice fly in extra innings, contributing to a 1-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians.
Notable Works and Milestones
Matthew James Shaw has quickly become recognized for his contributions to the Chicago Cubs. His achievements include being named to the United States national baseball team for the 2024 WBSC Premier12, where he was selected for the All-World Team as the best third baseman and led the tournament in RBIs.
Matthew James Shaw Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Matthew James Shaw has received recognition for his performances, particularly during his collegiate career and early professional seasons. His accolades include being named to the All-Freshman team and earning the Brooks Wallace Award.
Matthew James Shaw Awards Won
Matthew James Shaw has achieved significant milestones in his young career, including winning the Southern League Most Valuable Player Award in 2024 and being named the MVP of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2022. His early successes indicate a promising future in Major League Baseball.