What will Matt Shaw's role be in the Cubs' lineup this season?
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What are the latest Cubs storylines from spring training?
Rahimi Harrison-Grody.
The great Kevin Harlan.
I just pulled through the Taco Bell drive-thru, and I've got a couple of big, nasty Supreme Burritos right here waiting to be... You know, the first thing they ask you now, are you using the app? The app? No, I just want my burritos. I don't want to use an app. Bring a lot of mild sauce, because I'm going to squirt it all over the place. Put some hot sauce on my burrito, baby.
Rahimi Harrison-Grody. Middays, 10 a.m. to 2, on Discord.
This is Rahimi Harrison-Grote on 104.3 The Score. And Moises Ballesteros finally able to go to Cubs camp. He is in Mesa. And Craig Council said that he would swing the bat, quote, casually, end quote, over the next handful of days as he gently increases his workload. In the meantime, we try to figure out who's going to play where. Who's on first?
What's on second?
I don't know who's on third.
I can't remember the other positions.
Gross, you're the comedy guy.
Yeah, I couldn't think of the next line. You guys took the two good lines. We're gatekeeping the good stuff.
Yeah, I can't quote it past that right now. But that's kind of how I feel like spring training is for the Cubs. Apparently, we're not the only ones. Listen to what Bruce Levine, our baseball reporter, had to say to Zach Zaidman and David Hall this morning about the jigsaw puzzle that is trying to fit Matt Shaw and Moises Ballesteros, say Suzuki's bats in this lineup.
Shaw is much more quiet, you know, watching him in backfields and then in the game yesterday. He is not as much movement. He talked about keeping his head on the ball. You know, it seems like a simple process for us novices, but in reality, he just felt like when he's not hitting, he's jerking his head off of the ball. A common thing for hitters when they're off. Also, just less movement in the lower half. Just a very brief step forward. The bat speed, guys, is among the elite in baseball. So this guy should really hit. And I think he will now that he's open to accepting new ideas about his hitting. And, you know, we'll see. I mean... If there's not an injury, it'll probably be 400 at-bats for him, you know, somewhere between third, second, short, right field.
You know, we don't know about injuries, but, you know, anything less than that I think is – something that's going to impede his progression as the young player. I just don't think you make a 24-year-old guy into a utility guy. It doesn't make sense to me. Let me just say this. If he was a number three pick, right? and he wasn't touted, I think there would be consideration that he starts at AAA because there's really not a spot for him.
How does Matt Shaw fit into the Cubs' lineup this season?
You might go out and get yourself a veteran backup for the infield. You seem to have enough outfielders. Alcantara needs to have a chance. He's He's running out of options here. Is he really a good player in your organization or is he somebody that they missed on? So let's be real about the situation. But because he's the number one, because he played third base and they pushed him off there going to get Bregman, I think they're putting him in this super utility role and convincing us,
verbally that that's going to happen you're going to have to show me it's going to work if that's the case the Cubs should not place Matt Shaw's development ahead of winning if he's not ready to face major league pitching he should be at Iowa they should find a better alternative they should not worry about developing a first round draft pick I didn't say he wasn't ready for major league pitching I'm saying there's not a spot for him I mean where did where does he play He is your guy that you pointed out could get 400 at-bats moving between right field second and third. And DH.
And DH, yeah. So, I mean, again, you only see a limited amount of left-handed pitchers, starters. You know, Suzuki's going to be your starting right fielder. You have Alcantara, who's the second-best defensive player in the Cub organization behind PCA. So again, I'm not trying to push him out. I'm just saying I believe in Matt Shaw, but I believe he's got a hit at 24.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What are the latest Cubs storylines from spring training?
0:02–3:14
2
How does Matt Shaw fit into the Cubs' lineup this season?
3:14–5:41
3
What are the challenges of integrating Matt Shaw and Moises Ballesteros?
5:41–7:28
4
How has Matt Shaw's batting technique evolved?
7:28–10:35
5
What will Matt Shaw's role be if there are no injuries?
10:35–17:08
6
Is sending Matt Shaw to AAA a viable option for his development?
17:08–18:40
Speakers
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