Matt Spiegel

He had an OPS over 1,000 when it came to the South Bend in the Midwest League, high A.

In AA and AAA, an OPS over 929 and 24, that was his OPS, 929 and 2024.

Gets the chance at the big league level.

This is a team obviously competing, has a horrible start.

But a lot of players who have gone on to good all-star careers have a horrible start when they start.

It just feels like he has less margin for error because of what the Cubs are deeming as a go-for-it year this year.

This, for me, guys, comes down to something maybe very simple as we discuss Matt Shaw's role on the 2026 Cubs here on Rahimi Harrison-Grody on 104.3 The Score.

Is Matt Shaw going to go back to being a...

a true pure hitter in the way that he was at every other level before he got to the big leagues last year we heard bruce in that interview uh when he was on with mullion hall talk about how his head had gotten more still the bat speed is still there you're still getting the miles per hour off the bat so like can he hit or not can he hit or not because let me tell you something

Moises Biosteros wanted me to tell you, if you can hit, they'll figure it out.

They'll figure out a place for you in their lineup.

He's like Tommy LaStella.

Just get out of bed hitting 98 miles per hour.

You saw him last year.

Even in the limited time.

I know.

And look, Shaw, the Cubs did not want to have to have Matt Shaw start last year, or they would not have gone after Alex Bregman like they did last year.

They did not want him to be their starting third baseman this year whatsoever.

Or they wouldn't have gone out and signed Alex Bregman.

And then to all of a sudden put him into Utility Man wasteland, that doesn't sound like a good idea for your prospects.